Baidu seeks help from sci-fi writers to realize AI ambition

April Fools' Day is not all about pranks. China's Internet giant Baidu is dead serious about its plan - launched on April 1 - to include science fiction writers in its research on artificial intelligence.

The Baidu Verne Plan involves setting up a consulting team to bring the world's best science fiction writers together with leading scientists in a quest to turn imagination into reality.

The project, named after French novelist Jules Verne, has already invited six people to be the first group of advisers in the team, according to Beijing-based Baidu.