Beijing, the second-largest city in China, is quickly becoming a hub for large language models (LLMs) development. These LLMs are used to train intelligent chatbots like ChatGPT. According to Jiang Guangzhi, the director at Beijing’s Bureau of Economy and Information Technology, the city is home to half of China’s developed LLMs, with 40 out of the 80 LLMs already launched. Beijing’s success can be attributed to its advantages in computing power, data sets, investment, and talent.
To further promote AI innovation, Beijing is offering subsidies of around 40 million yuan (US$5.5 million) for computing resources used in training AI models and applications. The city also plans to implement LLM applications in various industrial scenarios on a quarterly basis. Jiang Guangzhi mentioned that the focus is on aligning AI innovation with the needs of the economy and society.
LLMs are deep-learning AI algorithms capable of recognizing, summarizing, translating, predicting, and generating content using large data sets. Generative AI algorithms, including those used by ChatGPT, can create new content such as audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos.
Beijing’s commitment to AI innovation reflects China’s belief in its transformative power for traditional industries and its ability to boost the post-Covid-19 economic recovery. Jiang Guangzhi emphasized that AI is an important trend in technological development and a driver for the next industrial revolution. Beijing aims to promote the procurement of “secure and reliable” AI models to increase productivity in government agencies, state-owned enterprises, and public institutions.
After the release of ChatGPT by Microsoft Corp-backed start-up OpenAI, Chinese Big Tech firms have been actively developing rival local services. Companies like Baidu, Tencent Holdings, SenseTime, Huawei Technologies, Alibaba Group Holding, and JD.com have entered the LLM development field.
However, the Cyberspace Administration of China has not yet issued a license for any generative AI product in the country, despite the trial services offered by Big Tech firms like Baidu, Alibaba, and iFlytek. To establish a national standard for LLMs, the China Electronic Standardisation Institute, under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), has formed a special task force with companies like Baidu, Huawei, 360 Security Technology, and Alibaba.
At the recent World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), MIIT Vice-Minister Xu Xiaolan reiterated the Chinese government’s commitment to supporting the domestic AI industry, which comprises over 4,300 companies. The establishment of a national standard for LLMs demonstrates China’s determination to lead in AI development.
Credit: The Star : Tech Feed
