Annual Parliamentary Gathering in China Highlights Nation's Pursuit of Artificial Intelligence Progression
In the recent Two Sessions, the annual gathering of China's business and political leaders, AI was a standout subject. Unlike the U.S. and EU, China's primary concern wasn't addressing AI risks, but ensuring they don't fall behind in this emerging tech's development and adoption.
Enter the "AI Plus (AI+)" initiative, a government drive to weave AI into all economic sectors. This ambitious project makes AI a top-tier priority for the year ahead, following China's broader goal for 2024 to drive digital transformation across its economy. While specifics about AI+ are yet to be revealed, it's all part of China's relentless pursuit to bolster its digital industry and achieve global dominance in AI by 2030.
China's strides in AI hinge on two integral factors: computing resources and data. Fortunately, they've got plenty of Nvidia chips stockpiled, so no immediate obstacles there. Domestic companies like Huawei are also stepping up to provide cheaper, albeit not as top-notch, alternatives to U.S. chips. As a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson remarked, obstacles like a "small yard and high fence" won't deter China's innovative development.
To address the computing resources issue, the Chinese government plans to establish a unified computing system. This initiative, dubbed "Eastern Data, Western Computing," optimizes data center distribution in China by linking businesses in data-hungry eastern regions with cheaper, energy-rich western centers.
Data, another crucial element for AI, is another area where China is making headway. Last year, the National Data Administration was launched, tasked with creating data infrastructure and promoting data utilization. China is now pursuing a "Data Multiply (Data ×)" initiative aimed at enhancing data quality, circulation, and utilization.
These moves should serve as a warning to policymakers overseas who overemphasize AI risks while neglecting opportunities. Unlike China, excessive regulation in the West could hinder domestic industries adopting AI effectively. China's bold AI approach, dubbed "move fast and build things," could be a winning formula for countries aiming to succeed in AI.
Premier Li Qiang has made it clear that the government's top priority for 2024 is increasing productivity through innovation. Given this focus on innovation-driven productivity growth, China's AI push is apt. Nations that want globally competitive industries will need to adopt AI, as they'll face competition from tech-savvy rivals. First-mover advantages also come into play as early adopters can outperform laggards using less-efficient solutions.
In essence, China's AI strategy is all about harnessing the power of AI for economic modernization, digital transformation, and global leadership in technology, while safeguarding fair and responsible AI deployment through robust governance and oversight mechanisms.
- The "AI Plus (AI+)" initiative, unveiled during China's Two Sessions, aims to integrate AI into all economic sectors, making it a top priority for the year ahead and bolstering China's digital transformation.
- China's success in AI relies on two key components: computing resources and data, with an abundance of Nvidia chips and domestic companies like Huawei providing alternatives.
- The Eastern Data, Western Computing initiative is a government plan to establish a unified computing system, optimizing data center distribution in China for improved AI development.
- Last year, the National Data Administration was launched to create data infrastructure and promote data utilization, as part of China's Data Multiply (Data ×) initiative, aimed at enhancing data quality, circulation, and utilization.
- As China prioritizes innovation and productivity growth through AI, overemphasizing AI risks and refraining from effective adoption may put foreign policymakers at a disadvantage against China's "move fast and build things" approach.
