Chinese tech giant Baidu (9888.HK) has unveiled a powerful new AI-driven video generation model named MuseSteamer, along with a significant upgrade to its search engine, as it ramps up competition in the fast-evolving AI landscape.
MuseSteamer: AI-Powered Video Creation for Businesses
MuseSteamer is an image-to-video generator capable of producing 10-second videos and comes in three variants:
- Turbo
- Pro
- Lite
Unlike some of its global competitors such as OpenAI’s Sora, which are targeting consumers via subscription models, MuseSteamer is currently designed exclusively for business users. There is no consumer-facing app at this time.
This launch places Baidu in direct competition with other major Chinese tech firms like ByteDance, Tencent (0700.HK), and Alibaba (9988.HK), all of which have recently released their own generative video or AI models.
Upgraded Baidu Search Engine with Enhanced AI Integration
Alongside MuseSteamer, Baidu has rolled out a major overhaul of its core search engine, featuring:
- A redesigned search box that now supports longer, more complex queries
- Voice and image search capabilities
- Smarter content recommendations, powered by Baidu’s in-house AI
This move comes amid rising competition from new AI-based search assistants like ByteDance’s Doubao and Tencent’s Yuanbao, which have been rapidly gaining traction among Chinese users.
Strategic Push Amid Rising AI Competition
The dual launch of MuseSteamer and the revamped search platform signals Baidu’s intent to reassert its dominance in China’s AI space, especially as consumer and business interest shifts beyond traditional search and chatbot tools.
By focusing on enterprise applications, Baidu may carve out a niche among professional users looking for integrated AI tools, while laying the groundwork for future consumer products.
Outlook
With AI-generated video expected to play a key role in marketing, content creation, and virtual communication, MuseSteamer positions Baidu as a serious contender in the generative media race, even as it works to retain relevance in the competitive Chinese search engine market.
