Baidu, Inc., founded in 2000 and headquartered in Beijing, is a Chinese multinational technology company best known for operating one of China's leading internet search engines. The company built its business around online search and related advertising services, providing search, content aggregation and targeted ad placements to consumers and marketers across China. Baidu went public on the NASDAQ in 2005 and has since diversified beyond search into a broader technology and AI-focused portfolio.
Core products and services include the Baidu search platform and mobile app, Baidu Maps and Baidu Baike (an online encyclopedia), along with digital content initiatives. Baidu has a history of involvement in online video and streaming through its founding of iQIYI, and it provides a range of digital advertising and marketing solutions to commercial clients. Over recent years the company has expanded its enterprise services with Baidu Cloud (AI Cloud), offering cloud computing, data processing and AI-driven services to corporate customers.
Baidu has placed heavy strategic emphasis on artificial intelligence and autonomous driving. The company has developed large language models and generative-AI capabilities (notably the ERNIE model family and related products) and has commercialized AI through chatbots and developer tools. In mobility, Baidu’s Apollo platform provides autonomous driving software, services and partnerships, and the company has piloted robotaxi services under the Apollo Go program. Baidu has also invested in AI hardware and smart-device initiatives to support its AI ecosystem.
Primarily serving the Chinese market, Baidu maintains international research and development activities and collaborates with global partners on AI and automotive projects. The company was co-founded by Robin Li and Eric Xu; Robin Li has been a prominent leader at the firm, serving as chairman and chief executive, and has guided its shift toward AI and cloud-first strategy. Baidu remains positioned as a major Chinese technology player with a focus on commercializing AI across consumer and enterprise markets.