Baidu, Inc.

Baidu, Inc. is a Chinese multinational technology company headquartered in Beijing, China, specializing in internet services and artificial intelligence. Incorporated in January 2000 by Robin Li and Eric Xu, Baidu's core mission is "to make the complicated world simpler through technology." The company maintains a dominant position in China's search engine market.

Baidu's extensive portfolio of products and services spans various internet and AI-driven segments. Key offerings include its flagship Baidu Search engine, the Baidu App for search and newsfeed, and content platforms like Baidu Baike and Baidu Tieba. The company also operates iQIYI, a prominent video streaming service, and Baidu Maps. Beyond its internet foundation, Baidu has significantly diversified into artificial intelligence, with products such as Baidu AI Cloud, the DuerOS conversational AI assistant, and the ERNIE Bot, an AI-native product.

Under the leadership of Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO Robin Li, Baidu has strategically pivoted towards an "AI-first" approach, making substantial investments in AI research and development. A significant area of focus is autonomous driving through its Apollo platform and Apollo Go ride-hailing service, which has completed over 20 million rides worldwide as of February 2026 and recently expanded commercial operations to Dubai. In recent financial news, Baidu announced a US$5 billion share buyback program and its first-ever dividend, alongside plans for a proposed spin-off and separate listing of its AI chip unit, Kunlunxin, on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. These initiatives underscore Baidu's commitment to commercializing AI across both consumer and enterprise markets while enhancing shareholder value.