Baidu Inc., one of China’s largest AI and search companies, announced that it would integrate its AI chatbot, Ernie, into its search services starting in March.
Baidu, a leader in China’s efforts to develop a ChatGPT-like chatbot, has completed internal testing of Ernie and plans to integrate it across all of its operations, including search and cloud services and its smart car operating system and smart speaker.
In a memo from CEO Robin Li, he stated that “AI technology has reached a tipping point and all industries will inevitably go through a transformation” and that Baidu is leading the way in this new wave of AI advancement.
The company’s stock price jumped nearly 7% in pre-market trading, and Baidu also announced a $5 billion share buyback.
Baidu’s revenue for Q4 2022 was 33.1 billion yuan ($4.8 billion), with the majority coming from online marketing services, which generated 18.1 billion yuan ($2.62 billion) in sales. Its autonomous ride-hailing service, Apollo Go, provided 561,000 rides in the same quarter, an increase of 162% from the previous year.
As China looks to revive its economy, companies like Baidu are expected to invest more in technology following years of regulatory scrutiny and a sluggish economy impacted by COVID-19.
Ernie Bot is set to bring convenience and efficiency to Baidu’s services, offering users quick and accurate responses to their queries. By integrating Ernie into its search and cloud services, Baidu is positioning itself as a leader in the AI industry and showing its commitment to providing innovative solutions to its users.
Integrating Ernie into Baidu’s smart car operating system and smart speaker is also a significant development. With the rise of smart homes and connected devices, chatbots like Ernie are becoming increasingly important for controlling and managing these devices.
By integrating Ernie into its smart car operating system, Baidu provides users a seamless and intuitive way to interact with their vehicles.
As China’s AI market continues to grow, Baidu’s investment in Ernie Bot and its commitment to integrating AI into its operations is a testament to its long-term growth and potential for future success.
With the integration of Ernie, Baidu is taking a significant step towards providing users with a truly intelligent and intuitive search experience.
