China has rapidly become a leader in advancing the artificial intelligence (AI) industry. While AI has been around for some time now, its applications have become more well-known and used in everyday life. But AI has become especially prevalent in many industries and is drawing increased investments from China-based companies. In 2019 alone, China invested more than $5 billion in AI, more than the US and Europe combined.
China’s strides to become an AI superpower began in 2014 when President Xi Jinping declared that the nation should become an AI research and innovation powerhouse. The significant investment in the technology has turned the country into a way of innovation and development of AI.
AI is used across various industries in China, including retail, healthcare, automotive, logistics, and tourism. This article discusses the rise of the Chinese AI industry, its use cases, and key players.
Understanding China’s AI Industry
AI has grown rapidly in China since 2014 due to the Chinese government’s support. The Chinese government has increased funding for research and development by introducing programs such as Thousand Talents Plan, Thousand Foreign Experts Program, and SynBio World.
The Chinese AI industry consists of manufacturers, sellers, and internet service providers that make products for consumer and commercial applications. Companies like Baidu, Tencent, and Alibaba have invested billions of dollars into AI technology to advance their products and services.
AI is used primarily in healthcare, retail, logistics and transportation, automation, agriculture, and finance. It is used for diagnosis, data analysis, security and surveillance, natural language, image and video processing, autonomous driving, robotics, and more.
One of the most popular uses of AI in China is facial recognition. Facial recognition is used in multiple ways, including in banks and convenience stores to verify customer identity, by police forces to identify suspects, and to access public spaces such as hospitals and airports.
AI is also widely used in retail in China. For example, JD.com, a Chinese online store, employs AI to optimize customer experience, tailor product recommendations, detect fraud, and analyze customer data.
AI technology is being implemented in healthcare to help with everything from diagnostics and medical imaging to searching through and analyzing patient records. For example, the Chongqing-based iFlytek Co. is a leader in AI-powered language recognition technology and is used in patient consultations.
AI Applications in Manufacturing and Logistics
AI is also being adopted in manufacturing and logistics to produce streamlined processes. AI is playing a major role in helping to automate the segmentation, sorting, and inspection of parts, as well as the identification of defects in the manufacturing process. AI is also being used to reduce energy consumption and optimize manufacturing.
Logistics companies are using AI to automate processes, such as route planning and scheduling. AI also plays a role in helping with inventory management, customer service, and fraud detection. AI-driven robots are used in warehouses for sorting, packing, and moving goods. Alibaba’s autonomous robots, for example, can automatically identify and pick items from shelves.
AI is also proving to be a powerful tool in supply chain and operational efficiency. AI-powered robots and machine learning algorithms are used to optimize warehouses, manage customer support interactions, and automate inventory control.
Key Players in China’s AI Industry
The AI industry in China has been led by the technology giants Alibaba, Baidu, and Tencent. These companies have invested significant capital into AI development, and are considered to be the trailblazers leading the Chinese AI industry.
Alibaba has been especially active in artificial intelligence and is using AI to develop new technologies, such as facial recognition and natural language processing. The company has also developed software to automate customer service and manage pricing strategies. Baidu has become the cornerstone of innovation in the Chinese AI industry, and uses AI in speech and facial recognition, autonomous driving, and medical diagnostics.
Tencent has also made significant investments in AI, particularly in natural language processing and computer vision. The company is working on AI-driven deep fake videos and facial recognition, as well as robotics research.
AI Use Cases in Transportation
AI is also being implemented in order to bring autonomous vehicles to the market. For example, Baidu is working with automakers such as Apollo, Volvo, and Volkswagen to develop autonomous driving systems. The company is also developing its own self-driving electric vehicles, dubbed “Apollo Go”, for commercial use.
Most recently, Baidu launched its first self-driving bus that can navigate streets with traffic and street obstacles. Baidu’s Apollo autonomous driving system has completed more than 2.5 million kilometers of testing and has achieved Level 4 autonomy.
The Chinese AI industry is growing rapidly, as the Chinese government and companies continue to invest in research and development. AI has been used in various industries across China, including retail, healthcare, logistics, manufacturing, and transportation. The Chinese AI industry is expected to continue growing due to the investments that have been made and will be made in the technology. The leading firms in the industry are companies like Alibaba, Baidu, and Tencent, who are actively pursuing research and development in the field. AI is playing an important role in China’s economic development, and will surely continue to grow in the future.
