iFlytek launches SparkDesk to rival ChatGPT

Chinese artificial intelligence pioneer iFlytek unveiled its rival to ChatGPT on Saturday, with a live demonstration of its artificial intelligence model for both consumer-oriented and enterprise-focused application.

Liu Qingfeng, chairman of iFlytek, introduced its homegrown AI large language model SparkDesk in a launch event in Hefei, Anhui province.

iFlytekaims to exceed ChatGPT's capabilities in understanding Chinese language and reach its standards in English, Liu said.

ChatGPT is an AI chatbot developed by US-based AI research company OpenAI, which has taken the world by storm by showcasing its versatile capabilities in writing essays, checking program bugs and making business plans.

At the event, Liu used voice-recognition prompts to ask SparkDesk in Chinese and English to assess student essays and compose hypothetical stories about Confucius' attendance at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. The demonstration also offered the audience a chance to pose queries.

"The impact of this generative AI technology is no less important than that of the birth of the PC or the internet," Liu said. "We need to do our best to learn from ChatGPT," he said, "and even seek to surpass it."

Generative AI refers to algorithms trained to produce new text, images, code, video or audio.

Liu said earlier that AI innovation and services will be in wider use in the automotive, medical and education industries.

Powered by AI techs, iFlytek's net profit will grow more than 30 percent annually beginning 2023, Liu said.