Sogou, China’s second largest mobile search engine, has taken the first step to launch an initial public offering (IPO) in the United States as early as market conditions permit. The number and dollar amount of American depositary receipts (ADRs) proposed to be offered and sold have not yet been determined, but the IPO’s value could reach as much as USD5 billion. Sogou plans to keep investing in artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and the internet of things (IoT). Baidu is still the No 1 search engine operator in China.