TL;DR:
- JD launches ChatRhino, its own vertical AI model, following the footsteps of rivals Alibaba and Baidu.
- ChatRhino combines generalized and intelligent supply chain data, catering to retail, finance, education, and government sectors.
- CEO Sandy Xu highlights practical results achieved through ChatRhino, including improved customer service and code writing.
- JD plans to expand the application of its large AI model to corporate clients in early 2024.
- JD’s healthcare unit introduces Jingyi Qianxun, a specialized model derived from ChatRhino, designed for the medical industry.
- JD showcases its ambition to develop humanoid robots through the JD Explore Academy.
- Beijing is home to over 80 large models, with Chinese authorities encouraging innovation in generative AI while implementing regulations for oversight.
Main AI News:
JD, China’s leading e-commerce giant, made a significant announcement during the JD Discovery tech summit by introducing its cutting-edge AI model, ChatRhino. Positioned as a vertical AI solution, ChatRhino offers industry-specific applications and is JD’s response to the recent endeavors of rivals Alibaba and Baidu.
The Importance of JD’s AI Advancement
JD joins the league of major Chinese tech players striving to revolutionize their offerings through AI and large-scale models. With ChatRhino, JD aims to combine 70% generalized data with 30% native intelligent supply chain data, enabling them to cater to various sectors, including retail, finance, education, and government. Cao Peng, the chair of JD’s technology committee and president of JD Cloud, emphasized that large models should extend beyond mere chat toys, poetry writing, or painting.
Insights into ChatRhino
During the summit, CEO Sandy Xu, who assumed office in May, highlighted the practical impact of ChatRhino within JD. The AI model has already been instrumental in enhancing customer service, streamlining code writing processes, and refining product recommendations. JD plans to expand the application of its large AI model, known as a large language model (LLM), to corporate clients by early 2024.
JD’s Innovations in Healthcare
In addition to ChatRhino, JD’s healthcare division revealed a specialized model called Jingyi Qianxun, derived from ChatRhino. The name, meaning “asking doctors thousands of times” in Chinese, reflects its purpose within the medical industry. Jingyi Qianxun boasts the ability to swiftly adapt and learn from various healthcare scenarios, serving as a technological foundation for remote medical services.
Exploring New Frontiers
JD’s ambition extends beyond AI models, as demonstrated by their plans to develop humanoid robots. The JD Explore Academy showcased its dedication to this field during the launch event. In a captivating pre-recorded video, a robotic arm seamlessly poured a glass of water in response to He Xiaodong, the director of the Academy. This venture represents JD’s commitment to exploring the potential of humanoid robots.
JD’s Strategic Approach
He Xiaodong explained that while JD has been making significant technological advancements in AI for several years, they intentionally delayed the introduction of their own large-scale model. The company prioritized the development of industry-specific, specialized models rather than a general-purpose ones, aligning with its commitment to catering to specific sectors.
The Chinese Context
Beijing is currently home to over 80 large-scale models, with more than half of them located in the city, according to Jiang Guangzhi, the director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology. Speaking at the Global Digital Economy Conference held in Beijing, Jiang highlighted the rising trend of large model development, spurred by OpenAI’s groundbreaking initiative. Chinese authorities actively encourage innovation in generative artificial intelligence while simultaneously implementing detailed regulations to ensure the responsible operation of ChatGPT-style services.
Conclusion:
JD’s introduction of ChatRhino as a vertical AI model targeting specific industries signifies their commitment to enhancing their offerings with advanced technology. With applications in retail, finance, education, and government sectors, JD aims to provide industry-specific solutions to its clients. The expansion of its large AI model to corporate clients and the development of specialized models for healthcare demonstrate JD’s focus on practical applications. Additionally, their exploration of humanoid robots showcases their long-term vision for technological advancements. The presence of numerous large models in Beijing reflects the growing trend in China, with authorities fostering innovation while ensuring responsible AI services. This indicates a competitive and evolving market landscape, with companies like JD vying for a prominent position in the AI industry.
