Baidu has announced a major overhaul of its employee ranking system through a company-wide communication. The professional and management tracks for employees below the middle management level have been fully integrated. The previous alphabetical level designations have been unified into a new numerical ranking system spanning from level 5 to level 12. This new system is set to take effect on May 1st.

Baidu stated that this initiative aims to break down institutional barriers, allowing employee growth to no longer be constrained by specific tracks or labels. The goal is to cultivate more versatile leaders capable of handling challenging tasks for the company's talent pool.

Regarding talent selection, Baidu has emphasized two core criteria: possessing a youthful mindset and being skilled at applying first-principles thinking. The company explicitly stated its intention to actively embrace outstanding young talent emerging in the new era. It plans to proactively provide them with opportunities to take on significant responsibilities, accelerate their growth through practical experience, and achieve success.