As China continues its way to higher-quality economic development, it is increasing its dependence on the Intelligent Economy, driven by innovation and new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI).
While development of AI in the West began in the 1950s, China did not begin conducting its own AI research until the end of the 1970s. Despite its later start, China's AI research is among the most advanced in the world in some areas. China now ranks first in its number of AI research papers, AI patent (专利) applications and the scale of its AI industry and research.
The development of AI is now part of China's national strategy. In 2017, China released the New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan, which set the goal of reaching global forefront in AI by 2030. China is also strengthening international cooperation in the development of AI, especially with the United States. As the world's two largest economies, development and competition between China and the United States in AI development is attracting global attention. China has a lot to learn from the United States in the depth and breadth of its AI research.
AI technology is having a positive impact on China in many fields. Technologies and products are arising in intelligent driving, smart homes and smart cities, and breakthroughs are being made in fields such as smart chips and general large language models. People are becoming used to AI-powered technologies, such as self-driving vehicles and aircraft, and contactless supermarkets.
Like elsewhere in the world, AI development also creates moral risks in China, and the country is carrying out research on AI morals to ensure that technological development remains in line with social morals.
AI presents a historic global opportunity, and China will continue to increase its investment in AI research and application and promote the integration ( 融 合 ) of AI technology into other industries. Doing so will speed the development of the Intelligent Economy.
