Not a day passes without news about how China is turning itself into a trailblazer of digital technology and AI (Artificial Intelligence). At this year’s World Internet Conference (WIC) held in Wuzhen, Zhejiang province, hundreds of new online-based technology solutions were presented by various global players.

China’s tech giants, like e.g. Tencent, Huawei, JD, Baidu, Sogou and Alibaba, presented impressive innovations in the fields of cloud computing, blockchain, data analysis, AI in China, tracking technology and internet security.

Facial recognition technology becomes part of everyday life

What seemed to be most prominent and most focused on was Artificial Intelligence, which is already applied widespread in the Middle Kingdom. Take facial recognition: the technology is applied successfully in various fields. To name a few, the police uses it to catch jaywalkers, fugitives and other delinquents,  and restaurants do not need human cashiers anymore thanks to an application that recognizes the client’s face automatically during the ordering process, and debits their online wallet respectively. Tech start-ups specialized in facial recognition, such as the world’s most valuable AI start-up SenseTime, Megvii and Zoloz (formerly EyeVerify) are heavily supported and financed by companies, agencies and banks.

As a matter of fact, AI in China is becoming more and more a part of everyday-life. Be it logistics and transport, financial services, media entertainment or even sports – all are infiltrated by new technologies.  Ping-pong robots offer quite a different experience when playing China’s favourite play, as it recognizes and interprets every move and facial expression of their human game opponent. Xinhua has just created two avatars which present the news on screen, and bird-like drones are used by the military in a few provinces to spy on people.

AI in China: a National Competitive Advantage

With AI being one of the strategic pillars of the government’s “Made in China 2025” plan, the country’s president, Li Xinping, encourages companies, agencies and businesses in general to invest into AI more and more to make AI in China a “vital driving force for a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation”, because the “AI development is a strategic issue to decide whether we can grasp opportunities.” Not only shall it grant more safety and security within the country, but also it shall improve living standards in areas such as education, health, housing, transport and caretaking. By 2030, China shall be the leader in AI.

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