Chinese Users Now Have Access to Local ChatGPT Alternatives: Experience Homegrown AI Chatbot Solutions

One month after China unveiled its provisional measures to regulate generative artificial intelligence, the nation has officially approved the first wave of public services powered by large language models.

Eight generative AI applications have successfully registered with China’s cyberspace authority, including notable entries such as Baidu’s Ernie Bot, ByteDance’s Doubao, and Baichuan, developed by the founder of Sogou. Additionally, several chatbots are based on research from prestigious institutions like Tsinghua University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Following two decades of relatively permissive tech policies, China is now prioritizing control over innovation rather than the rapid pace of development. In recent years, the country has established multiple licensing frameworks aimed at regulating its previously unrestricted tech industry, enhancing oversight over the vast amounts of data that shape public opinion and daily life.

For example, launching a game in China requires more than just publishing it on app stores; companies must navigate a comprehensive filing process that includes thorough content reviews.

The unpredictable nature of generative AI makes it a prime focus for Chinese regulators, who are among the most proactive globally in managing this swiftly evolving technology. The new AI regulations mandate that algorithms capable of influencing public opinion be registered with the appropriate government body and that generative AI service providers obtain a license to operate within China.

The approval of these large language model chatbots signals a potential era of rapid growth and widespread adoption in China. This follows the tech giants' launches of their ChatGPT alternatives, which were initially accessible only to industry insiders. Shortly after the registration announcement, Baidu’s Ernie Bot surged to the top of the free iOS apps chart in China, leading to a modest rise in the company’s Hong Kong share price on Thursday.

China’s regulations pave the way for a more structured approach to generative AI, emphasizing both innovation and oversight.