Baidu Renames AI App ‘Wenxiaoyan’ to Outshine Competitors in China’s Rapidly Growing AI Industry

Baidu has renamed Ernie Bot to Wenxiaoyan in China to differentiate itself from AI competitors. The technology behemoth is utilizing its strong foothold in the online search industry to secure a competitive advantage in the rapidly expanding Chinese AI market.

On Wednesday, Baidu declared a rebranding of its leading artificial intelligence (AI) application, Ernie Bot, as the Chinese tech behemoth endeavors to set itself apart in a market that's becoming more and more saturated and competitive.

The change of Ernie Bot's Chinese name from "Wenxin Yiyan" to "Wenxiaoyan" signifies its role as a "new search" assistant, says Xue Su, the Vice President and AI innovation business leader at Baidu.

"Advancements in technology enable us to enhance and streamline search capabilities," Xue expressed during a kickoff event in Beijing. Although the firm is looking into ways to monetize the service, the priority is primarily on providing value to the users, he further noted.

Baidu, the company behind China's most popular search engine, is using its stronghold in the online search industry to secure a competitive advantage in the rapidly expanding local AI field. This sector is a battleground where both new businesses and established tech giants are vying for clients.