Zhang Yaqin (Photo/thepaper.cn)

Zhang Yaqin, president of Chinese Internet giant Baidu, was recently named as an academician of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences for 2019.

Zhang was one of more than 200 newly elected members, the academy announced on April 17. He will join the Academy of Mathematics and Physical Sciences.

One of the most prestigious honorary societies in the United States, the academy is also a leading center for independent policy research.

Zhang, a top scientist and entrepreneur in the field of digital video and artificial intelligence, has been granted more than 60 U.S. patents, and has published over 500 academic papers and 11 monographs.

Zhang received his doctorate in electrical engineering from George Washington University in 1989.

Before joining Baidu in September 2014, he worked at Microsoft for 16 years, where he served as corporate vice president of Microsoft and chairman of Microsoft Asia-Pacific Research and Development Group, managing director and chief scientist of the Microsoft Research Asia Lab, and chairman of Microsoft China.

Zhang will retire from his position in Baidu this October to devote himself to teaching, research, academic exchanges between China, the US and Australia, and charity programs through the United Nations.