China Approves Over 40 AI Models for Public Use

China’s artificial intelligence (AI) industry has been making significant strides in recent months, with Chinese regulators granting approvals to over 40 AI models for public use. This move highlights China’s commitment to developing AI technology while maintaining control over its deployment.

Last week, Chinese authorities approved 14 large language models (LLMs) for public use, including companies like Xiaomi Corp, 4Paradigm, and 01.AI. These approvals mark the fourth batch of AI models to receive the green light, following the implementation of the approval process last August.

Notably, Beijing’s approach towards AI development involves requiring tech companies to obtain regulatory approval before making their LLMs accessible to the public. This strategy allows the Chinese government to oversee and control the dissemination of AI technology, aligning with its broader aims of maintaining regulatory oversight in emerging tech sectors.

The first batch of AI models were approved in August, with tech giants Baidu, Alibaba, and ByteDance among the initial recipients. Subsequently, two more batches of approvals were granted in November and December, followed by the recent batch this month.

While the exact list of approved companies has not been disclosed by the government, it is estimated that more than 40 AI models have been granted approval, according to the Chinese state-backed Securities Times. This indicates that Chinese companies have been actively pursuing AI product development, especially in response to the success of OpenAI’s chatbot ChatGPT in 2022.

At the time, China boasted 130 LLMs, accounting for 40% of the global total and just behind the United States' 50% share. Baidu’s Ernie Bot, a leading ChatGPT-like chatbot, saw tremendous success with over 100 million users, further fueling the country’s AI ambitions.

China’s rapid progress in AI development and regulatory approval reflects its determination to establish itself as a leader in the field. With a multitude of companies entering the AI market, the competition in China is intense. The push for regulatory oversight ensures that AI technology is developed in a responsible and controlled manner, preventing potential misuse or unethical practices.

This wave of approvals is a significant milestone for the Chinese AI industry, as it not only demonstrates the country’s commitment to AI development but also showcases the capabilities of Chinese tech companies. The regulated release of AI models allows for ongoing innovation while maintaining a level of control that aligns with the government’s vision for the sector.

As China continues to push the boundaries of AI technology, it is exciting to see how these approved models will shape the future. With regulatory oversight in place, the stage is set for further advancements in AI that benefit society while adhering to ethical and legal guidelines.