Baidu’s metaverse chief quits as search engine giant shifts focus to AI amid ChatGPT frenzy
- Ma, who joined Baidu in 2015, could not be found in a search of the company’s internal computer system as of Friday, according to a source familiar with the matter
- The shift to AI comes just 18 months after Baidu launched its XiRang metaverse app, a virtual environment to explore and engage with other users
The head of metaverse operations at Baidu has left the company after the Chinese search engine giant decided to bet its future on generative artificial intelligence (AI), the technology behind ChatGPT.
Ma Jie, who joined Baidu in 2015, could not be found in a search of the company’s internal computer system as of Friday, according to a source familiar with the matter.
Baidu declined to comment.
Ma was quoted by Chinese media The Paper on Friday as saying he “had already left Baidu”.
Domestic media Jiemian, which first reported the personnel change on Friday, cited a source from the company saying that Baidu has sidelined its metaverse business as it was difficult to make a profit in the short term.
Besides the metaverse, Ma was also head of Baidu’s cybersecurity division. Previously, he led research and development at Chinese antivirus software firm Rising, and also founded cybersecurity start-up Anquanbao. Ma was also a technical director at Sinovation Ventures.
