Baidu merges its mapping unit with AI division

Beijing, 13th March: Baidu, the leading search engine in China, announced that it will merge its mapping unit, Baidu Maps, with its artificial intelligence (AI) division, AI Technology Platform System. The move is part of Baidu’s overall strategic focus on expanding its business beyond its traditional search and advertising revenue streams.

The restructuring also aims to improve the popular mapping service by consolidating and coordinating resources with its AI technology. Baidu’s management stated that it plans to develop high definition-maps, a technology used in autonomous driving.