Original Title: Li Yanhong: Artificial Intelligence Cannot Exceed Human Capabilities
Li Yanhong, the founder, chairman, and CEO of Baidu, has shared his thoughts on the future of artificial intelligence. He believes that while AI will have a profound impact on every aspect of society, it will never surpass human capabilities. As one of the first Chinese internet companies to invest heavily in AI, Li emphasizes that the development of AI is still in its early stages and will take time to mature.
When AI gradually approaches human-level abilities, it can already bring significant changes to entire industries. For example, in sectors like finance, automotive, real estate, and consumer electronics, AI has the potential to revolutionize how we live and work. Li sees this as an exciting opportunity rather than a threat, as more people entering the field leads to greater innovation and collaboration.
When asked about whether AI could become smarter than humans, Li reiterated that AI will never exceed human capabilities. However, he pointed out that even when AI gets close, it can disrupt and transform industries. For instance, face recognition technology could streamline airport security by eliminating manual checks, making travel faster and more efficient.
Baidu has also opened up its deep learning platform, enabling smaller companies without extensive technical resources to leverage AI. While some may worry this could create more competitors, Li believes that AI is a long-term industry with vast potential. By supporting others, Baidu hopes to accelerate the overall development of AI technology across different verticals.
In terms of self-driving cars, Li acknowledges that the technology is still in its early stages. Although Baidu has dozens of demo vehicles, commercialization is expected to begin next year. He notes that achieving full autonomy is a gradual process, moving from Level 1 to Level 5, and there are still many challenges to overcome, especially in handling complex real-world driving scenarios that cannot be fully defined by rules.
Looking back at the past year, Li observed that the Chinese internet market has reached a saturation point. With smartphone adoption nearly complete, the industry needs new sources of growth and innovation. Despite this, he remains optimistic about China’s position in the global AI landscape.
China has several key advantages in AI, including a large market, abundant talent, and significant investment. The country also benefits from a massive user base of over 700 million internet users who share similar language, culture, and legal frameworks—making it an ideal environment for AI development and deployment.
As the AI era continues to unfold, Li believes that collaboration, openness, and long-term vision will be essential for sustained progress. The journey ahead may be challenging, but the potential for transformation is immense.
Written by Ma Yi, Beijing News Reporter
Photography by Respondents
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