China aims to lead world in AI by 2025
Beijing releases national artificial intelligence plan
BEIJING/SHANGHAI: China has outlined plans to become a world leader in artificial intelligence by 2025, laying down a challenge to US dominance in the sector amid heightened international tensions over military applications of the technology.
China released a national AI development plan late on Thursday, aiming to grow the country's core AI industries to over 150 billion yuan (S$30.2b) by 2020 and 400 billion yuan by 2025, the State Council said.
With this major push into AI, China is looking to rival US market leaders such as Google and Microsoft, as it is keen not to be left behind in technology that is increasingly key, from smart cars to energy.
"The local and central government are supporting this AI effort," said Mr Rui Yong, chief technology officer at PC maker Lenovo Group, speaking on the sidelines of an AI conference in Shanghai on Thursday.
"They see this trend coming and they want to invest more."
Beijing's AI plan comes as the US is poised to bolster its scrutiny of investments, including artificial intelligence, over fears that countries including China could access technology of strategic military importance.
China's State Council said the "situation with China on national security and international competition is complex", which was part of the incentive for making a domestic AI push.
"We must take initiative to firmly grasp this new stage of development for artificial intelligence and create a new competitive edge," it said.
China's plan follows a similar national AI development plan released by the US last October.
The roadmap says China aims to catch up to global leaders by solving issues including a lack of high-end computer chips, software and trained personnel.
Beijing would also play a bigger role via policy support and regulation.
The country has already invested heavily in AI, while Chinese premier Li Keqiang named it as a strategic technology in an annual report earlier this year.
In February, the country's powerful state planner opened an AI lab in partnership with Baidu, China's top search engine, which is making a major push into AI.
Lenovo's Mr Rui said official support for AI was strong because it was seen as the latest "industrial revolution" akin to the advent of the combustion engine, electricity or the Internet.
"They see the fourth industrial revolution as coming, (and think) we better invest and support and build a very strong ecosystem," he said. - REUTERS
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now
