Chinese tech heavyweight Baidu Inc ranked first in artificial intelligence patent applications and authorizations across the nation, as the company remains steadfast in bolstering technological innovation.

The company has filed 22,000 AI-related patent applications in China by the end of 2024, and has been granted 12,000 patents, topping the list among domestic tech companies for seven consecutive years, according to a report from China Industrial Control Systems Cyber Emergency Response Team and the Electronic Intellectual Property Center under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. 

The cumulative number of its AI patent applications has surpassed 27,000 across 29 countries and regions. Baidu has applied for 2,950 generative AI patents that centered on large language models, and has been granted 1,317 such patents. 

Wang Haifeng, chief technology officer of Baidu, said the company has invested heavily in AI technology, with its patent layout covering chips, deep learning frameworks, fundamental models and applications. 

Wang said Baidu secured the top spot across the globe in patent applications related to deep learning. In terms of LLM patent applications, it ranked second worldwide and took the top position in China. 

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