Baidu is positioning itself as a “full-stack” AI company spanning hardware, models, cloud and autonomous driving, according to discussions with CFO Henry He on Bloomberg’s Odd Lots podcast. The company, long known for internet search, has expanded into multiple parts of the AI value chain, including designing its own chips and developing its own large language model ecosystem built around its “Ernie” models. Baidu also runs its own cloud infrastructure and is integrating AI capabilities into its self-driving platforms, including Apollo Go. The interviews also touch on how Baidu considers cost efficiency in deploying large language models, including managing token spending, and how Chinese technology firms approach safety and alignment as they scale AI systems. In addition, Baidu describes using AI internally to evolve its organizational structure and make the company more attractive to younger talent. The conversations reference broader competition in robotaxi services and autonomous driving, placing Baidu’s efforts in the context of global industry rivals while explaining how its core search business continues to fit within the wider AI strategy.