On Tuesday, the Chinese search engine behemoth Baidu unveiled Xinxiang, an AI assistant that it claims can assist users with activities like information analysis and travel planning more effectively than a chatbot. This news brought a historic surge in the shares of Baidu, rising by 3.7% to HK$84.8. According to the firm, Xinxiang is presently only accessible on Android cellphones; an iOS version is still being considered. The company claims that this new AI agent will be more proficient than the current chatbot service.
XinXiang: An Upskilled Search Engine
Unlike traditional AI assistants that are primarily based on conversation, Xinxiang specialises in completing specific operations like information analysis. This development is the latest addition to Baidu’s AI portfolio. This upskilling complies with the broader industry demand for an autonomous digital assistant capable of reasoning.
Additionally, Xinxiang encompasses agent-oriented AI tools that could provide contextual assistance through planning, analysis, and multi-tasking. This upskilling is a step ahead from text-based chatbots to comprehensive digital support systems.
