From Robot Nannies to Smart Farms: iFLYTEK’s Vision for AI’s Future
The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, exemplified by tools like ChatGPT and Sora, has ignited global excitement about the potential of AI to transform various industries and aspects of daily life. Fang Ming, Vice President of China’s AI leader iFLYTEK, shared his insights on the future of AI and its practical applications in an exclusive interview.
Bridging the AI Gap with Innovation
While acknowledging a gap in computing power between China and the United States, Fang remains optimistic about China’s AI development. He believes that efficient algorithms and the massive amounts of data available in China can compensate for hardware limitations. “Highly efficient algorithms can largely offset deficiencies in computing power,” Fang stated. “Our confidence in China’s AI advancement is strengthened by the vast data resources we have.”
Transforming Healthcare with AI
One of iFLYTEK’s significant achievements is the development of an AI-assisted medical diagnostic system. This technology aids rural doctors by improving their diagnostic skills, enabling them to match the expertise of specialists in major cities. “Our system has corrected over one million inaccurate diagnoses nationwide,” Fang revealed. “If even 10 percent of these cases involved critical illnesses, we may have saved 100,000 lives.”
Personalized Education Through AI
In the education sector, iFLYTEK has created an AI system that customizes learning experiences for individual students based on their performance. “Children can achieve better results in less time,” Fang explained. “AI-driven personalized education enhances efficiency and outcomes.”
Revolutionizing Agriculture with Smart Farming
Fang highlighted the application of AI in agriculture, specifically in pig farming. China currently lags behind other countries in agricultural automation and intelligence. By leveraging AI, iFLYTEK aims to improve the “feed-to-meat” ratio—a key metric indicating how much feed is required for pigs to gain weight. “In developed countries, the ratio is around 2.6, but in China, it averages between 4 and 5,” Fang noted.
The AI system can replace up to 60 percent of manual labor in pig farming by monitoring the pigs’ weight and health. “Robots assess weight gain by simply observing the pigs,” Fang said. “When a pig reaches its target weight but continues to eat, the feeder shuts off automatically to prevent overeating.” This precision feeding minimizes waste and ensures pigs reach market weight uniformly. Additionally, the AI monitors pigs’ vocalizations to detect health issues early, reducing medication costs.
The Future: AI as Emotional Companions
Looking ahead, Fang envisions a future where AI not only performs practical tasks but also provides emotional support. He anticipates that everyone will have their own virtual assistant, teacher, or even pet. “Imagine coming home after a tough day, and your service robot senses your mood,” he said. “It might say, ‘You seem a bit unhappy today. I learned a new song to cheer you up.'”
Such AI companions would proactively offer assistance and companionship without needing prompts. “This aspect of AI—understanding and responding to human emotions—is profoundly meaningful,” Fang emphasized.
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Robot nannies and virtual teachers: iFLYTEK's VP on the future of AI
cgtn.com
