Artificial intelligence has recently become a major topic in the news. China’s AI startup, Horizon Robotics, announced on the 20th that it secured nearly $100 million in funding. Meanwhile, AlphaGoZero taught itself to play Go in just three days and defeated its predecessors who had previously beaten top human players. On job listings, AI-related positions are offering the highest salaries. In this booming era of artificial intelligence, how can the province better integrate AI with the real economy? A reporter visited several tech parks and enterprises to explore the current state of the AI industry in the region.
[Image: Swiss AI robot debut at global summit]
Multiple applications showcase the technological appeal of AI. According to Professor Song Aiguo, Dean of the College of Instrument Science and Engineering, AI is one of the core technologies of robots. Initially used mainly for intelligent robots, it now extends into fields like medical image recognition and financial data analysis. “We have entered the ‘AI plus’ era,†he said. AI essentially simulates human cognitive processes—learning, reasoning, summarizing, and decision-making. Low-level AI can recognize images, speech, and faces, while higher-level systems can understand environments and make decisions. At the top level, AI can even exhibit cognitive abilities and complex emotions.
At Horizon Robotics' Nanjing R&D center, Li Yuguo, the software development director, gestured near an air-conditioning panel, and the unit immediately responded by switching or adjusting the temperature. What's visible is the panel and camera, but what's hidden is an AI-powered system based on image recognition. He mentioned that one air conditioner manufacturer will soon launch a product equipped with this technology, allowing home appliances to respond to voice commands.
Suzhou Complex, a new commercial hub expected to attract 100,000 daily visitors, is leveraging big data to manage traffic flow. Mao Yong, general manager of Baidu Suzhou Innovation Center, explained that by analyzing visitor patterns, they can collaborate with shopping malls and authorities to prevent congestion and improve efficiency.
Meanwhile, at Suzhou Huchuan Intelligent Technology, a robotic arm swiftly assembled a toy car after a phone scan. Sales Director Hu Shusheng noted that over 500 attendees at a German exhibition placed orders on the spot. This AI platform enables fast and accurate fulfillment of customer demands, making individualized production efficient and appealing.
The Provincial Economic and Information Commission reported that the province's AI industry has made significant progress in speech recognition, smart home robots, and machine learning, with several nationally recognized companies emerging.
Two major parks are driving industrial clustering. In Nanjing Economic and Technological Development Zone, AI has become a key focus for industrial upgrading. Over 55 AI headquarters and R&D centers have been established, along with more than 30 leading talents. The park also launched "20 support measures" to nurture top enterprises and provide services like design software sharing and chip simulation. Last year, AI enterprises in the zone generated over 5.2 billion yuan in revenue, with projections reaching 50 billion yuan by 2020.
Suzhou Industrial Park is also focusing on AI. Its 2,500-square-meter exhibition center showcases AI developments, with over 50 exhibits from more than 20 companies. The park has over 1,000 AI firms, generating 35 billion yuan in output last year, with a focus on big data, speech recognition, and machine vision. Plans include allocating over 1.5 billion yuan over three years to support the sector and cultivating a few billion-level AI leaders.
Xu Wenqing, deputy director of the Suzhou Industrial Science and Technology Bureau, believes AI will first scale in smart manufacturing, with many local companies integrating AI into their operations, forming a solid foundation for rapid growth.
However, talent shortages remain a challenge. LinkedIn reports that only 1.9 million AI professionals exist globally, with a gap exceeding 5 million in China. Horizon Robotics’ Nanjing lab, for example, has nearly 100 employees, 95% of whom hold master’s degrees.
Fang Wei, secretary-general of the Provincial Institute of AI, emphasized the need for stronger university-industry collaboration and government support for training programs. He also called for greater access to public data, such as traffic information, to boost autonomous vehicle development. Some pseudo-AI products on the market mislead consumers, so increased regulation is needed.
Guo Yonghai, director of the Department of Industrial Research at the Provincial Institute of Economics and Information Technology, urged an “optimistic yet cautious†approach to AI development, warning against blind following of trends.
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