Baidu’s Metaverse Chief Resigns as AI Overtakes the Tech Industry

Xirang, China’s metaverse platform launched by internet giant Baidu just last year, finds itself at a crossroads as the head of the company departs amidst a shifting focus toward AI-generated content models. Baidu’s Vice President Ma Jie, who played an important role in leading the metaverse operations and VR business, has recently resigned under undisclosed circumstances.

According to SCMP, Ma Jie, who had been with Baidu since 2015, was reportedly untraceable in the company’s internal computer system since Friday. Baidu has reportedly deprioritized its metaverse business due to the challenges of generating immediate profits in this space. Chinese media outlet The Paper quoted Ma on Friday, stating that he had already departed from the company. 

Baidu’s decision to prioritize AI comes as a surprising shift in strategy, considering it was only 18 months ago that the company introduced its XiRang app, also known as “Land of Hope.”

During its launch, Baidu organized virtual events, including a fashion show in collaboration with Dior and a virtual job fair in partnership with the Suzhou city government in Jiangsu province, aiming to attract users to the metaverse concept.

XiRang aspired to establish itself as a platform encompassing entertainment, social interaction, and brand promotion, much like the renowned global metaverse gaming platform Roblox.

In an announcement, Baidu declared the successful execution of over 120 metaverse activities and spaces through its platform “XiRang” last year. These endeavors spanned across more than 20 domains, including culture, tourism, art, automobiles, and consumer goods.

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