According to media reports, Baidu is set to launch its next generation AI model Ernie 5.0 this year. Sources state that the Ernie 5.0, referred to as a 'foundation model', will see significant enhancements in multimodal capabilities, though specific functionalities were not detailed. This news comes as Apple shifts its potential clients towards Alibaba, leading to widespread speculation that Baidu is seeking to stabilize its stock price and market position amid changing circumstances.