Baidu builds up ties with Apple and Tesla in diversification drive

BEIJING -- Baidu is establishing closer relations with U.S. tech companies like Apple and Tesla in areas such as AI and self-driving technology, capitalizing on China's restrictions on overseas data transfers, as part of its push to diversify beyond search.

Generative artificial intelligence was a major topic of a Baidu earnings call Thursday, with CEO Robin Li citing partnerships with smartphone vendors Samsung, Honor, Oppo, Vivo and Xiaomi.