Tang Xiao’ou, the visionary AI pioneer and founder of SenseTime, has passed away at the age of 55. SenseTime, a leader in artificial intelligence, announced Tang’s death, expressing their deep sorrow and mourning. While the nature of his illness was not disclosed, Tang’s impact on the AI industry and his inspiration to others is unquestionable.
Tang, a professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, founded SenseTime in 2014 with a group of university alumni, including Xu Li, the current CEO. His goal was to create a better future through AI-powered innovation, a mission that continues to drive the company today. SenseTime has even transformed its corporate website and logo into a black-and-white color scheme as a tribute to Tang.
Tang’s journey into the world of AI began with his education. After completing his bachelor’s degree at the University of Science and Technology of China, Tang pursued further studies in the United States. He obtained his master’s degree from the University of Rochester and his Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Tang’s research interests focused on computer vision, pattern recognition, and video processing.
Before founding SenseTime, Tang worked at Microsoft Research Asia as the group manager of the Visual Computing Group from 2005 to 2008. Then, in 1998, he joined the Chinese University of Hong Kong as a professor of information engineering. During his tenure, Tang mentored many engineers and computer scientists who would later contribute to China’s advancements in facial recognition, pattern recognition, and various AI applications.
One of Tang’s students, Wang Xiaogang, was particularly influenced by his mentor’s demonstration of a computer algorithm that mimicked artistic styles. Xiaogang went on to become a co-founder of SenseTime and an esteemed AI expert in China. Tang’s impact on his students and the industry as a whole is exemplified by SenseTime’s rapid growth over the past decade.
SenseTime has been referred to as one of China’s “four little dragons” of AI, alongside Cloudwalk Technology, Megvii, and Yitu. The company went public in Hong Kong in December 2021 and has seen remarkable success. Tang, as SenseTime’s largest shareholder, held significant influence within the company.
With a net worth of $2.5 billion, Tang was listed as the 33rd richest person in Hong Kong by Forbes. His wealth reflected his contributions and achievements in the AI industry. SenseTime developed AI technology for various applications, including autonomous driving, augmented reality, and medical imaging. Additionally, the company focused on developing large language models, similar to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, to keep up with Chinese tech giants racing to create their own generative AI products.
While SenseTime’s meteoric rise faced challenges in 2019, when it was placed on the US Commerce Department’s Entity List for its alleged involvement in human rights abuses in Xinjiang, it continues to be a major player in the AI field. The company’s shares closed at HK$1.26 on Friday, and despite a decline since its IPO, SenseTime remains a prominent name in the industry.
Tang Xiao’ou’s legacy as a pioneering figure in the AI industry is undeniable. His vision and dedication have shaped the AI landscape and inspired countless individuals. As SenseTime mourns the loss of its founder, the company’s commitment to achieving Tang’s unfinished goals will continue to drive innovation and empower a better future through AI.
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