In recent years, the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has captured global attention, transforming countless aspects of daily life and businessThe evolution of AI, from the emergence of ChatGPT to fierce competition between models, signifies a technological revolution that has thrust AI into the spotlightVarious applications have been spawned from AI capabilities, including AI art generation, note-taking, and virtual assistance, showcasing a diverse range of uses across multiple sectors.

Moreover, the integration of AI into various industries has intensified, particularly in sectors that are inherently dependent on data processing and user interactionWith the advent of the internet, the accessibility of mobile technology has soared, establishing search engines as a staple in daily routinesHowever, the landscape is changing; the search engine industry is being significantly transformed by AI technologies, with companies racing to incorporate AI into their platforms.

One prominent player in this field is Xiaohongshu, a lifestyle-sharing platform that has been particularly aggressive in implementing AI-driven search functionalitiesLate last year, Xiaohongshu launched an AI search product known as "Dian Dian," focusing on enhancing the search experience for users within specific lifestyle contextsRecently, they have also conducted tests for a new search feature called "Wen Dian Dian," indicating a strategy that involves both standalone AI applications and embedded search functionsThis dual approach demonstrates Xiaohongshu's commitment to effective AI integration, underscoring the platform's belief in the growing necessity of AI within search.

The impetus for Xiaohongshu's AI endeavors can be attributed to several factorsFirst, there is a discernible search behavior among users on the platformAs observed in the "2024 Xiaohongshu Search Promotion White Paper," approximately 70% of active users engage in search activities, with 88% of those searches initiated independently

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This highlights a robust demand for efficient search capabilities, compelling Xiaohongshu to evolve into a search engine-like platform within its community.

Second, Xiaohongshu’s existing technological foundation in the AI domain positions it to successfully explore AI search functionalitiesThe rising prominence of large models has led companies to prioritize AI development, and Xiaohongshu is no exceptionIn March 2023, the company established a dedicated team to foster the development of large AI models, creating products like "Little Sweet Potato" and various AI applications including "Trik" for AI art, "This Moment" for text-to-image functions, and "Da Vinci" for chat functionalitiesThese advancements illustrate a substantial investment in AI technology, which is crucial for creating effective search algorithms and models.

Furthermore, Xiaohongshu benefits from an extensive repository of high-quality content, another vital pillar supporting its AI search capabilitiesThe platform has been curating user-generated content focused on lifestyle tips, travel guides, and more for yearsThis wealth of data—comprising textual information, images, and videos—spans diverse scenarios such as education, entertainment, and daily livingThis rich content database enables Xiaohongshu's AI search to deliver targeted and accurate results to user queriesFor instance, "Dian Dian" generates answers rooted in the extensive community knowledge found on Xiaohongshu, offering results that include not just text but also images and videos.

In response to Xiaohongshu's innovative efforts, Baidu—the stalwart of the Chinese search engine landscape—has also escalated its AI search initiativesHistorically, Baidu has dominated the search market in China and is now feeling the pressure from an increasingly competitive landscape as other platforms introduce their AI search productsThe recent launch of Baidu's "AI Search" feature serves not only to reinforce its position in the market but also as a necessary counteraction to the innovations from companies like Xiaohongshu.

This strategic response from Baidu is driven by several factors

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First, the rise of AI-driven search functionalities has compelled Baidu to evolve amid shifting user expectationsWith various competitors offering enhanced search results through advanced algorithms, Baidu aims to streamline user experiences by integrating different content resources into its search engineInformation from Baidu Search, Baidu Health, and Baidu Library is now interlinked, allowing users to receive streamlined results that are not only relevant but also comprehensive.

Additionally, the "AI Search" feature aims to simplify the process of sifting through informationTraditional searches often result in a barrage of data, overwhelming users who must sift through irrelevant information to find what they needBaidu's new tools aim to alleviate this by providing refined results that are organized and relevant, thereby improving user satisfaction and maintaining user loyalty to the platform.

However, despite the promising capabilities of AI search technologies, it remains uncertain whether they will fully replace traditional search methodsCurrent AI search capabilities face challenges that hinder them from becoming a complete substituteFor one, there are concerns regarding the accuracy and reliability of AI-generated responsesWhile the technology allows for quicker information retrieval, the myriad of misinformation available online poses a significant riskAI systems are only as good as the data they are trained on, and incomplete or incorrect information can lead to errors in search responses, potentially misleading users.

Moreover, the operational costs associated with AI search technology are significantly higher than those of traditional search methods, imposing additional challenges for businessesExperts have noted that the cost of engaging with large language models far surpasses conventional keyword searches—potentially costing over ten times as muchThese financial burdens, alongside an immature business model for monetizing AI search, further complicate the landscape

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