In September 2025, a significant milestone unfolded in the realm of autonomous mobility as Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority granted Baidu’s Apollo Go platform the city’s first autonomous driving trial permit, alongside 50 test licenses. This groundbreaking permit allows Apollo Go’s fleet to begin open-road testing in designated urban areas across Dubai, marking a pioneering step for autonomous vehicle technology in this bustling metropolis.
This exclusive approval cements Apollo Go’s status as the only self-driving ride-hailing platform authorized for large-scale trials on Dubai’s public roads. It highlights Baidu’s leading position in the global autonomous mobility sector, reflecting the company’s continuous innovation in AI-driven transportation solutions. By securing this permit, Baidu not only gains a strategic foothold in a key international market but also showcases the robustness and readiness of its self-driving technology for real-world applications.
Turning to the investment narrative surrounding Baidu, owning the company’s stock requires faith in its ability to convert ambitious investments in AI and autonomous vehicles into substantive, scalable revenue streams. Investors must navigate near-term margin pressures and the persistent monetization challenges within Baidu’s core search business. While the Dubai permit provides valuable global validation for Apollo Go, it does not significantly shift the primary growth catalysts. The main driver remains large-scale AI-enhanced search monetization, while the predominant risk involves continued digital ad revenue softness and potential margin erosion if monetization efforts falter.
Moreover, Baidu’s July partnership with Uber to integrate Apollo Go vehicles into Uber’s platform worldwide underscores the company’s global expansion ambitions in autonomous mobility. This collaboration could act as a powerful growth catalyst if commercially viable deployment scales up successfully. These strategic moves clearly indicate Baidu’s intent to diversify beyond China’s maturing search market and tap new revenue streams. However, investors remain keenly focused on whether next-generation AI products will be able to substantially boost earnings leverage.
It’s important to also consider regulatory and competitive risk factors, which are intensifying. Should Baidu’s AI-driven search monetization continue to lag, long-term concerns about profitability may persist despite advances like the Dubai authorization.
Financial forecasts for Baidu paint a complex picture: analysts anticipate revenue reaching CN¥150.8 billion by 2028, with earnings dropping slightly by CN¥3.1 billion from the current CN¥25.4 billion. This outlook is based on an expected annual revenue growth rate of 4.0%. Additionally, these forecasts translate to a fair value estimate of US$117.66 per share, indicating a potential 16% downside from Baidu’s present stock price.
Among the investment community, perspectives vary widely. An analysis of 18 community fair value estimates for Baidu reveals a remarkable range from $71 to $180 per share. This disparity reflects divergent views on Baidu’s future—optimism about international expansion like Apollo Go’s Dubai rollout contrasts with caution over the slow monetization of its core AI search business. As such, investors grapple with balancing the promise of technological innovation against steady financial performance uncertainties.
For those interested in shaping their own outlook, crafting a personalized investment narrative around Baidu can be enlightening. Independent analysis often reveals unique opportunities and risks that can lead to extraordinary returns, diverging from mainstream opinions.
Finally, for investors seeking growth beyond Baidu, fresh stock picks and emerging opportunities in AI and healthcare are available. These areas promise innovation-driven returns, particularly among smaller market cap companies focused on AI-powered diagnostics and drug discovery.
Note: This article is general commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts and does not constitute financial advice. It aims to provide a balanced view of Baidu’s position in autonomous vehicle technology and AI monetization efforts, alongside the associated investment risks and opportunities.
