Baidu has launched two new AI models, Ernie 4.5 and Ernie X1, enhancing its capabilities in the competitive AI landscape. Ernie 4.5 features advanced emotional intelligence, enabling it to comprehend memes and satire, while Ernie X1 is positioned as a cost-effective alternative to DeepSeek R1. Both models are multimodal, capable of processing video, images, audio, and text. Despite being an early player in AI, Baidu has faced challenges in gaining traction. The company plans to introduce Ernie 5 later this year, promising further advancements in multimodal technology.