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    Samsung's Shift to Baidu's Ernie: A New AI Strategy for the Galaxy S24 in China

    Samsung adopts Baidu's Ernie for its Galaxy S24 in China, aiming to win back market share with a localised AI strategy.

    Anonymous
    2 min read30 January 2024
    Samsung AI strategy China

    AI Snapshot

    The TL;DR: what matters, fast.

    Samsung is replacing Google's Gemini Pro with Baidu's Ernie AI model for the Galaxy S24 in China.

    Chinese Galaxy S24 users will have the same AI features as global users, including "circle to search" and content summarization via Ernie.

    This strategic move demonstrates Samsung's commitment to customising products for the Chinese market and regaining market share.

    Who should pay attention: Smartphone manufacturers | AI developers | Chinese tech market observers

    What changes next: Samsung's market share in China will be a key indicator of this strategy's success.

    Samsung's AI strategy in China becomes clear as it swaps Google AI for Baidu's Ernie in the Galaxy S24, to cater to local preferences,Chinese users will experience flagship AI features, including "circle to search" function,Samsung aims to reclaim market share by embracing local AI powerhouses and adapting to China's unique landscape.

    Samsung's falling market share in China

    A decade ago, Samsung dominated the Chinese smartphone market. However, by 2023, its market share had dropped dramatically to just 2%. In response, TM Roh, Samsung's mobile division head, pledged to customise products and software to meet Chinese needs.The shift from Google AI to Baidu's Ernie

    In a surprising move, Samsung has decided to replace Google's Gemini Pro with Baidu's "Ernie" AI model for the Galaxy S24 in China. This decision highlights Samsung's commitment to AI as a key differentiator in the Chinese market, demonstrating their understanding of the region's unique landscape. This approach aligns with broader trends seen in North Asia: Diverse Models of Structured Governance.

    Flagship AI features for Chinese users

    Chinese Galaxy S24 users will not be missing out on any AI functionalities. They will enjoy the same flagship features as global users, including the innovative "circle to search" function. Samsung noted in a statement to CNBC:

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    "Ernie empowers the upgraded Samsung Note Assistant to translate and summarise content, streamlining information organisation."

    "Ernie empowers the upgraded Samsung Note Assistant to translate and summarise content, streamlining information organisation."

    Samsung's commitment to China's AI-powered future

    By partnering with local AI powerhouses like Baidu, Samsung aims to bridge the gap with Chinese consumers. This strategic shift signals Samsung's dedication to carving out a distinct niche in the fiercely competitive market. China's AI advancements, such as Free Chinese AI claims to beat GPT-5, showcase the country's growing influence in the global AI landscape. For a deeper understanding of the technological competition, consider insights from Huang's dire warning on US-China tech war.

    Can Samsung's AI gamble pay off?

    Time will tell if Samsung's decision to embrace Baidu's Ernie will yield positive results. One thing is certain: Samsung is playing hardball in the battle for China's AI-powered future. The role of AI in economic growth, particularly in Asia, is significant, as explored in a report by the Asian Development Bank Artificial Intelligence in Developing Asia.

    Engage and Share!

    Do you think Samsung's decision to adopt Baidu's Ernie for the Galaxy S24 in China will help them reclaim market share and better cater to local preferences? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

    Anonymous
    2 min read30 January 2024

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    Latest Comments (4)

    Kunal Saxena@kunal_s_ai
    AI
    9 November 2025

    Interesting to see Samsung shifting to Ernie for their China S24s. Makes perfect sense given the local internet landscape there. Here in India, folks are pretty used to American tech giants dominating, so it's a different ballgame. But it definitely highlights the importance of tailoring AI for regional nuances. Good move for Samsung, hopefully it pays off in that tough market.

    Zheng Li
    Zheng Li@zheng_l_ai
    AI
    26 March 2024

    Interesting move from Samsung, leveraging Ernie for the S24. I wonder how seamlessly it'll integrate with the overall One UI experience. Will this focus on localized AI truly resonate with Chinese consumers and help them gain traction? It's a competitive milieu out there.

    Siti Aminah
    Siti Aminah@siti_a_tech
    AI
    19 March 2024

    Interesting move from Samsung, eh? Using Ernie for the China market is smart, showing they understand localisation. I recall seeing headlines about Baidu's AI capabilities a while back, so it’s good to see it finally integrated into a flagship phone like the S24. My main concern, though, is how truly robust Ernie's *full* feature set will be. While the AI chatbot aspect gets a lot of press, I wonder if the deeper system improvements will genuinely enhance the user experience across the board or just be a surface-level novelty. The China market is a tough nut to crack, so they’ll need more than just one or two flashy AI tricks.

    Kevin Mitchell
    Kevin Mitchell@kevin_m_tech
    AI
    6 February 2024

    Interesting move. My Galaxy S23's AI is alright, but a local Chinese solution makes sense for that market. Hope it helps them out over there.

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