ERNIE 5.1 is Baidu's May 9th, 2026 proprietary assistant at $0.56/$2.53. Our tests score helpfulness 91.0, instruction following 90.5, and comprehension 90.0 — close to Grok 4.5 for everyday work. Empathy is 89.0: unusually warm for this part of the board, near Grok 4.5's 89.5. Creative writing is 92.0: more literary than Grok. Speed is 78.0. Best when you want helpful, well-written Chinese-first assistance at mid price.