China is making substantial investments in artificial intelligence (AI), aiming to establish itself as a global leader in the field.
Government Investment:
The Chinese government intends to invest 10 trillion Chinese yuan ($1.4 trillion) in AI over the next 15 years.
A 60 billion yuan AI investment fund was established in January.
AI Development:
Chinese companies, such as DeepSeek, are achieving rapid advancements in AI, surprising Silicon Valley and industry experts.
DeepSeek’s AI model claims to rival ChatGPT at a fraction of the cost.
Six domestic AI firms, including DeepSeek, have been nicknamed “China’s six little dragons.”
Education and Talent:
China possesses a large pool of STEM graduates, with over 3.5 million students graduating in 2020.
The government is emphasizing the importance of education, science, and talent development.
AI Applications:
AI is being utilized in various applications, including robotics, education, and manufacturing.
Companies are developing AI-powered toys and educational tools for children.
The government is promoting AI-powered humanoid robots to assist with the ageing population.
Challenges and Concerns:
Concerns exist regarding data privacy and national security, particularly concerning data collected by Chinese apps.
Some countries have banned or restricted the use of Chinese AI apps.
The Chinese government is aware of international concerns.
China is still in a “catch-up mode” regarding AI technology.
Economic Impact:
The Chinese government is heavily investing in AI to drive economic progress, especially in light of trade tensions with the US.
The advancement of AI is viewed as a means to achieve “technological self-reliance.”
Examples:
SenseRobot, which produces chess-playing robots, has sold over 100,000 units and has a contract with Costco.
Whalesbot develops AI toys that teach children coding.
DeepSeek has developed an AI model that competes with ChatGPT.
Imoo, known as “Little Genius” specializes in children’s smart watches.
Xiaomi has had a 135% rise in shipments of their smart band activity trackers.
