China search giant Baidu plans to open a US$300 million research and development center focusing on artificial intelligence in Silicon Valley, The Wall Street Journal reported. The center will have almost 200 employees and be led by Andrew Ng, the former head of Stanford University’s artificial-intelligence lab. Baidu has already used AI and deep-learning technology to help refine how it targets ads on its site and develop its speech-recognition software. Baidu’s investment comes amid growing efforts from China’s internet behemoths to establish a presence in the US through investments and recruitment initiatives.