Chinese Search Giant Baidu Surges Over 11% After Making Chatbot Free

Baidu's ChatGPT-like Ernie Chatbot will be free for users from April 1.CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty ImagesShares in Chinese search giant Baidu surged as much as 11.7% in Hong Kong on Thursday after it announced it will make its AI chatbot free of charge starting April 1.Listed on both the Nasdaq and in Hong Kong, the company said users will have free access to the Ernie Bot thanks to continued technological upgrades and lowered costs, according to a Thursday press statement. Fees will no longer be char ...