Baidu’s AI Push and Autonomous Ambitions Fuel 1.26% Rally as $340M Volume Surges 47% to Rank 307th

On August 15, 2025, Baidu (BIDU) rose 1.26% with a trading volume of $340 million, marking a 47.27% increase from the previous day and ranking 307th in market activity. The stock’s recent performance reflects mixed momentum amid strategic developments and operational challenges.

Baidu’s AI Cloud division launched an AI venture capital acceleration program, supporting 20 startups in securing RMB 100 million in funding. This initiative underscores the company’s focus on expanding its AI ecosystem. Meanwhile, a partnership with South Korean semiconductor firm DEEPX to supply AI chips for drones and robotics highlights Baidu’s efforts to integrate advanced hardware with its PaddlePaddle framework for global industrial applications.

However, safety concerns emerged after a Baidu autonomous taxi incident in Chongqing, where a vehicle veered into a construction pit. While the passenger sustained minor injuries, the event reignited debates about the reliability of self-driving technology. Despite this, Baidu announced plans to deploy its RT6 robotaxis globally through partnerships with Lyft and Uber, targeting European markets like the UK and Germany by 2026. The collaboration aims to leverage Lyft’s platform to scale autonomous ride-hailing services, pending regulatory approvals.

Strategic alliances and AI advancements have bolstered investor sentiment, though operational risks and market volatility remain factors. A backtest of a strategy purchasing the top 500 stocks by daily volume from 2022 to 2025 showed a 0.98% one-day return and 31.52% total return over 365 days. This suggests short-term momentum capture but also underscores exposure to market fluctuations and timing risks.