Ernie Assistant is integrated into its flagship Baidu search engine app and on personal computers.
3 basic lessons we can learn from China’s Baidu on AI assistants:
1) Own the default entry point: assistants scale fastest when embedded in search/OS/messaging, not as standalone applications.
2) Monetise outcomes, not clicks: AI will reduce weblink traffic, so shift to generating revenue from completed actions (e.g. leads, bookings, purchases, resolutions).
3) Moat = workflow + ecosystem: models will commoditise; defensibility comes from integrations, proprietary data loops and trusted execution.
