Baidu today announced a significant organizational restructuring to advance its artificial intelligence capabilities, establishing two new departments: the "Basic Model R&D Department" and the "Application Model R&D Department." Both new units will report directly to CEO Robin Li, signaling a deeper strategic focus on large model development from the top. The move aims to create a parallel structure for advancing both general-purpose AGI and specialized, scenario-specific models. The Basic Model department will focus on next-generation ERNIE foundation models, while the Application Model department will work on optimizing models for business scenarios and accelerating commercialization. This restructuring aligns with Baidu's designation of 2026 as the "ERNIE Ecosystem Year," indicating a major push to integrate its AI technology across its business lines.