Ya-Qin Zhang (simplified Chinese: ???; traditional Chinese: ???; pinyin: Zhang YÃ qÃn; born in 1966) is a scientist, technologist and business executive.
He joined Baidu Inc.(NASDAQ:BIDU) as the president of the company in 2014, and retired in October 2019 after five years with the company.Before joining Baidu in 2014 as the President of the company, Zhang was previously a key executive of Microsoft for almost 16 years, including Corporate Vice President for mobile and embedded Products in Redmond, Washington, Managing Director of Microsoft Research Asia, and Chairman of Microsoft China.
His Sina Weibo had over 12 million followers at its peak in 2009.Zhang has made contributions to the software and Internet technology and industry through his 550 publications, 62 US patents.
His seminal research in digital video and communications has been extensively used in global standards and products.
He is elected to the Fellow of American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2019, and was inducted to Australia National Academy of Engineering (ATSE) as the only foreign fellow in 2017.
He became an IEEE Fellow in 1997 at the age of 31, making him the youngest scientist winning this honor in the 100+ year history of the organization.
He received the industry pioneer award from IEEE for his seminal contributions and technical leadership in digital video and communications in 2004.
Upon his winning of "Outstanding Young Electrical Engineer Award" in 1998, Zhang received a congratulation letter from former US president Bill Clinton, praising him as "an inspiration for others".Zhang currently serves on the Board of Directors of three high-tech companies, and holds board membership and adjunct professorship in five prestigious universities.
He was named one of the top 10 CEOs in Asia, 50 global shapers, Executive of the year, IT innovator leader award by IT Times, Business Week, CNBC, Global business and Vision magazine.
One of the prominent figures in artificial intelligence and autonoumous driving, Zhang serves on the board of stewardship for the future of mobility of the Davos World Economic Forum, and is the Chairman of the Apollo Alliance, the largest open platform for autonomous driving in the world.
Zhang is a founding member of UNDP (United Nations Development Program) Private Sector.Zhang was born in Taiyuan, Shanxi, in January 1966, and is married with two children.