Baidu has added the artificial intelligence tool OpenClaw to its main search app, giving direct access to around 700 million monthly active users.
The move comes just days before China’s Lunar New Year holiday, as major tech companies compete to attract new AI users and boost engagement.
OpenClaw Now Available Inside Baidu App
Starting Friday, users who opt in can message OpenClaw directly within Baidu’s main smartphone app.
The AI agent can help complete tasks such as scheduling, organizing files, and writing code. Users can interact with it much like they would in a chat app.
Previously, the Austrian-developed open-sourced AI agent was only accessible through chat-based platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram.
Chinese companies including Alibaba, Tencent, and Baidu had already enabled users to run OpenClaw on their cloud systems. The new integration brings the tool directly into Baidu’s widely used search app.
Baidu, best known for its search engine, also operates cloud, mapping, and other internet-based services.
AI Competition Heats Up Before Holiday
The timing of the rollout is important. Chinese internet giants are racing to gain new users and generate returns from their AI investments ahead of the busy Lunar New Year period.
Baidu is also expanding OpenClaw’s capabilities to its e-commerce operations and other services.
Alibaba has taken similar steps with its AI chatbot Qwen. The company integrated Qwen into its e-commerce platforms, including Taobao and travel site Fliggy.
Alibaba said it received more than 120 million consumer orders through the app in the six days through Feb. 11.
Qwen allows users to compare personalized product recommendations and complete payment through Alipay without leaving the chatbot. Before this update, users had to exit the AI tool and move across different platforms to finish transactions.
Security Concerns Around AI Agents
While AI agents such as OpenClaw are growing in popularity, there are also concerns about security.
Cybersecurity firms including CrowdStrike have warned users about giving OpenClaw unrestricted access to enterprise systems.
As competition intensifies, companies are balancing rapid AI deployment with potential cybersecurity risks. The coming weeks may show how strongly users adopt these new integrated AI features during one of China’s busiest holiday seasons.
Sources: CNBC, Bloomberg, Baidu, Alibaba, CrowdStrike.
