Baidu banks on growing artificial intelligence expertise

Hong Kong

BAIDU Inc has unveiled its latest plans to stake out a spot in the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence (AI), including a partnership with Nvidia Corp to develop driverless cars and taxis, and a home gadget akin to Amazon.com Inc's popular Echo.

Chief executive officer Robin Li is banking on its growing AI expertise to jumpstart a slowing search and advertising business, while one-upping rivals Tencent Holdings Ltd and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.