TLDR
- Baidu (BIDU) shares surged 10% to a three-year high after releasing Ernie 5.0 AI model
- Ernie 5.0 features 2.4 trillion parameters and claims superiority over Google and OpenAI models
- The company’s AI assistant reached 200 million monthly active users
- Apollo Go robotaxi service began operations in Abu Dhabi
- Analysts maintain Strong Buy rating with 96% one-year stock gain
Baidu stock soared nearly 10% on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The Chinese tech company officially launched its Ernie 5.0 AI model to the public.
Shares touched HK$160.90, marking a fresh 52-week high. This followed an 8.2% jump on the Nasdaq during the prior session.
Baidu rolled out Ernie 5.0 at an AI conference in Shanghai. The model is now accessible through Baidu’s cloud platform.
The company claims Ernie 5.0 beats Google’s Gemini 2.5 Pro and OpenAI’s GPT-5. Baidu highlights better performance in reasoning and understanding complex tasks.
Ernie 5.0 employs native full-modal modeling technology. The system handles text, images, audio, and video simultaneously.
The model operates with 2.4 trillion parameters. This ranks among the most powerful large language models in the market.
Baidu previewed Ernie 5.0 in November 2025. That initial announcement sparked investor interest and stock gains.
User Numbers Show Rapid Adoption
On January 20, Baidu shared another key metric. Its AI assistant using the Ernie model crossed 200 million monthly active users.
The user growth demonstrates strong uptake in China. Businesses and consumers are embracing generative AI tools quickly.
Baidu has ramped up AI spending over two years. The company targets foundational models, cloud services, and business applications.
Autonomous Driving Moves International
Baidu launched Apollo Go robotaxi operations in Abu Dhabi. This represents the first major overseas deployment of its self-driving technology.
The expansion shows Baidu diversifying beyond AI software. Autonomous vehicles offer another revenue stream for growth.
Hong Kong-listed shares gained over 4% to HK$160.10 on Thursday. The broader Hang Seng index dropped 0.2% during the same period.
Baidu outperformed in a weak market environment. The stock strength signals investor confidence in AI initiatives.
Wall Street Backs Baidu’s Direction
Analysts give Baidu a Strong Buy consensus on TipRanks. The rating includes 10 Buy recommendations and 2 Hold ratings.
The average analyst price target stands at $164.81. This suggests modest upside of 1.6% from current prices.
Baidu stock has climbed 96% in the past year. The rally reflects optimism about the company’s AI capabilities and market position.
Ernie 5.0’s official launch solidifies Baidu’s leadership in Chinese AI. The company now challenges Silicon Valley giants in advanced artificial intelligence technology.
The model’s 2.4 trillion parameters put it in elite company. Few AI systems match this level of computational power.
Baidu continues investing in cloud infrastructure to support AI growth. The cloud platform serves as the distribution channel for Ernie 5.0 and future models.
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