Baidu, China’s leading search engine and AI company, has unveiled a new AI video generation tool and announced a major upgrade to its search platform, marking a significant step forward in its push to become a dominant force in generative AI.
These new features are part of Baidu’s broader strategy to embed artificial intelligence more deeply into its ecosystem of products, from search to content creation.
AI-Powered Video Creation Goes Mainstream
At the core of the announcement is Baidu’s new AI video generator, which allows users to create short-form videos from text prompts, similar to the capabilities offered by OpenAI’s Sora or tools from Runway and Pika.
This tool is designed to empower:
Content creators, by accelerating video production Businesses and marketers, by enabling rapid creation of branded content Educators and media outlets, through easy-to-use storytelling tools
The AI model behind the video generator can create realistic characters, motion, backgrounds, and even lip-synced dialogue, making it suitable for a wide range of applications—from advertising to entertainment.
A Smarter, AI-Enhanced Search Engine
Alongside the video generator, Baidu also announced a revamp of its search capabilities, incorporating large language models (LLMs) to enhance user experience. The updated search engine can now:
Understand natural language queries more effectively Provide direct AI-generated answers rather than just links Surface more relevant, personalized content based on context and user intent
These upgrades are designed to keep Baidu competitive with global tech giants like Google, which are also racing to integrate generative AI into core search functions.
“Search is evolving from finding information to understanding intent and delivering intelligent responses,” a Baidu spokesperson said. “We’re building an AI-native search engine that helps users solve problems, not just locate web pages.”
China’s AI Race Heats Up
Baidu’s latest AI developments come amid intensifying competition in China’s tech sector. Local rivals such as Alibaba, Tencent, and iFlytek are also investing heavily in generative AI. Baidu, however, has been among the first to bring production-grade AI applications to market, through its Ernie Bot and now, video generation capabilities.
What’s Next for Baidu
These updates show Baidu is not just playing catch-up with Western AI giants—it’s shaping the future of digital experiences in China and beyond. As generative AI continues to redefine how people interact with technology, Baidu’s integration of these tools into everyday platforms like search and content creation puts it at the forefront of this transformation.