China's generative artificial intelligence (AI) sector is experiencing a remarkable surge, with over 600 million registered users now utilizing these services, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). This milestone underscores the rapid adoption and integration of AI technologies across the nation.
During a recent announcement, Zhao Zhiguo, chief engineer at the MIIT, highlighted the continuous expansion of China's core AI industry. He noted that more than 4,500 companies are currently operating within the sector, reflecting a robust and dynamic ecosystem fostering innovation and competition.
\"Nearly 200 generative AI service models are registered and available to the public,\" Zhao stated, emphasizing the diversity and accessibility of AI applications now at the fingertips of millions of users. This proliferation of models signals a maturing market ready to meet the varied demands of consumers and industries alike.
To accelerate the development and application of AI technologies, Zhao stressed the importance of enhancing AI infrastructure capacities. \"It is essential to establish accessible, adaptable, and highly available AI development platforms,\" he said. Such platforms are pivotal in speeding up the training, optimization, and large-scale deployment of AI models, enabling businesses and developers to innovate more efficiently.
Zhao also called for boosting the supply capability of computing power facilities and building a unified national computing system. This initiative aims to increase the share of intelligent computing resources, providing the necessary backbone for AI advancements and supporting the growing computational demands of modern AI applications.
In alignment with these goals, China Mobile, the nation's telecommunications giant, launched an evaluation standard for general AI large models. Collaborating with the China Electronics Standardization Institute and 16 key enterprises, this standard serves as a benchmark for companies to identify and select high-quality AI models that meet industry needs.
The evaluation standard focuses on six critical dimensions: functionality, accuracy, reliability, safety, interactivity, and applicability. By comprehensively assessing these factors, the standard aims to gauge the core competencies required in deploying large AI models effectively across various sectors.
The reach of this initiative spans a wide array of industry scenarios, including telecommunications, transportation, energy, and manufacturing. This move not only facilitates the adoption of AI technologies in these sectors but also supports China's broader objective of integrating AI into its economic and social fabric.
As China continues to invest in and prioritize AI development, the burgeoning number of users and companies in the generative AI space signals a significant step forward. With supportive infrastructure, standardized evaluation systems, and a commitment to innovation, China is poised to further cement its position as a global leader in artificial intelligence.
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China has over 600 million registered generative AI service users
cgtn.com
