China is amplifying its policy support for artificial intelligence (AI), unveiling a series of initiatives aimed at boosting and regulating the sector’s development.
Since the beginning of this year, the Chinese government has introduced multiple guidelines to foster innovation and standardize growth in AI. In January, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), alongside six other ministries and agencies, released a guideline focusing on the development of future industries. These industries integrate advanced technologies such as the metaverse, humanoid robots, brain-computer interfaces, and quantum information. The guideline emphasized the application of AI and advanced computing to accurately identify and nurture industries with substantial potential, advancing the push for new industrialization.
March saw the Ministry of Education launch a nationwide AI Empowerment campaign. The initiative aims to enhance AI knowledge and skills among teachers and students, promote AI-powered educational systems, develop specialized AI models for teaching and learning, and advocate for the legal and ethical use of AI in education.
On July 2, the MIIT, in conjunction with three other government bodies, unveiled guidelines specifying seven key areas for developing the country’s AI standard system. These areas include standards for key technologies, intelligent products and services, and industry applications. By 2026, China plans to formulate over 50 national and industrial standards for AI, establishing a framework to guide the high-quality development of the sector.
“We have numerous scenarios across various industries that require these technologies to empower,” said Wei Kai, head of the Artificial Intelligence Research Institute under the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology. “We need to address all kinds of issues in the industrial implementation of large models, such as data governance, platform construction, and computing power layout, to lay a solid foundation for the sustainable development of AI.”
China’s AI industry has made significant strides in recent years, witnessing progress in technological innovation, product creation, and industry applications. The sector is showcasing new features with the accelerated development of technologies like large models.
The country is now home to more than 4,500 AI companies. In 2023, China’s core AI industry reached a scale of over 578 billion yuan (approximately 81 billion U.S. dollars), marking a 13.9 percent year-on-year increase, according to official data.
In this year’s government work report, China unveiled the AI Plus initiative—a strategic move designed to propel the expansion of the digital economy and spearhead the transformation and modernization of manufacturing sectors.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
