Baidu Research Institute Releases 2023 Top Ten Technology Trend Forecast

On January 5, Baidu Research Institute published its 2023 top‑ten technology trend forecast. The highlighted trends include the large‑model ecosystem, digital‑physical integration, virtual‑physical symbiosis, autonomous driving, robotics, scientific computing, quantum computing, privacy computing, technology ethics, and sustainable technology development. The forecast underscores the continual strengthening of foundational technologies, deeper cross‑domain AI integration, and a more pragmatic approach to intelligent innovation.

Baidu’s Chief Technology Officer and Institute Director Wang Haifeng noted that core technologies with standardization, automation, and modularity become infrastructure, making their value increasingly tangible. This marks the fourth consecutive year Baidu releases such predictions, with AI‑to‑reality becoming the main trajectory of technological progress.

The predictions received endorsements from Academician Zhao Qinping, honorary director of the Virtual Reality Industry Alliance, and Academician Zhang Yaqin, foreign member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and professor at Tsinghua University.

Zhao highlighted virtual reality as an emerging strategic direction for China’s technology and industry, noting Baidu’s emphasis on virtual‑physical symbiosis as a signal of accelerated development. Zhang emphasized that artificial intelligence is a foundational technology of the fourth industrial revolution, with China poised to become a leader in several fields. AI is becoming a universal variable across interdisciplinary research, and collaborative efforts among industry, academia, and research are expected to make AI as pervasive as air.

Baidu identifies three main directions for 2023: solidifying the technological foundation, strengthening cross‑domain AI integration, and pursuing pragmatic intelligent innovation.

In terms of technological foundation, deep‑learning platforms and large models integrate hardware adaptation, model training, inference deployment, and scenario applications, reinforcing the AI industry base and accelerating intelligent upgrades. Industry‑specific large models are emerging in aerospace, finance, energy, and other sectors, building AI infrastructure for “AI + industry” innovation. Future industry large models will cover more fields, forming ecosystems that serve the intelligent upgrade of countless industries.

AI‑new infrastructure such as intelligent computing centers, deep‑learning platforms, and large models drives regional economic development and industrial upgrading, promoting deep integration of digital technology with the real economy and empowering digital transformation. Privacy‑computing platforms are becoming essential for data security governance and the marketization of data assets, shaping a data industry that balances value creation with trustworthy security.

Cross‑domain AI fusion, exemplified by “AI for Science,” is gaining attention. AI is becoming an important research aid, reshaping multi‑disciplinary research paradigms. By introducing AI, researchers have developed scientific‑computing tools that simplify complex calculations and enhance system modeling. Future powerful tools will further support physics, chemistry, materials science, and drug discovery.

Facing global aging, robot applications are accelerating, offering solutions to labor shortages. AI‑enhanced robots improve real‑time perception, intelligent decision‑making, and optimized control, speeding up deployment across various industries.

Relying on a solid intelligent foundation, emerging directions such as Web 3.0, the metaverse, autonomous driving, AIGC, and quantum technology will encounter new industrial opportunities. In autonomous driving, 2023 is expected to see commercial roll‑outs in major Chinese cities, with growth in operational scope and fleet size, and a breakthrough in market penetration of intelligent vehicles, moving from trial phases to full‑scale deployment.

In quantum computing, continuous improvements in hardware performance and algorithms increase the value of integrated quantum solutions. Growing demand for quantum education and popularization will further accelerate the formation of a thriving quantum ecosystem through multi‑party collaboration.

In the virtual‑physical symbiosis domain, Web 3.0 will create a decentralized, open, fair, and secure network space. The convergence of digital twins, simulation, and AI will produce precise digital twins for shopping, manufacturing, and urban scenarios. AIGC will introduce new content creation models across art, literature, and video production. Combined with immersive VR/AR experiences and 5G’s high‑speed data transmission, the metaverse is poised for disruptive innovation.

While focusing on AI technology and applications, attention must also be given to technology ethics and sustainable development. Companies and scientists are exploring explainable AI, value alignment, and effective human‑machine interaction to reduce black‑box risks and achieve forward‑looking AI governance. Baidu predicts that trustworthy and controllable AI capabilities will become a new competitive advantage for enterprises.

Sustainable technology development emphasizes green, low‑carbon, and resilient capabilities, with breakthroughs in edge computing and advanced computing. Emerging technologies targeting environmental, health, energy, and material challenges are expected to improve the quality of human living conditions.

This forecast marks the fourth consecutive year Baidu Research Institute has released a forward‑looking technology outlook since 2019. Earlier predictions—such as deep learning’s deep industry penetration, large‑scale digital humans, and accelerated intelligent transportation—have materialized as real industry trajectories.

Attached is Baidu Research Institute’s 2023 technology trend forecast (illustrated image).