Shanghai AI Lab Continues to Push Boundaries under New Leadership

In a significant development for the Shanghai AI Lab, Zhou Bowen, a former AI scientist at IBM and JD.com, has taken over as the new director of the esteemed research institution. Zhou’s appointment follows the unfortunate passing of the lab’s first director, Tang Xiao’ou, a renowned expert in facial recognition technology. Making his debut at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), Zhou expressed his vision for the future of AI development, placing a strong emphasis on safety and self-assessment.

The Shanghai AI Lab, which counts major mainland universities and institutions in Hong Kong among its affiliates, is widely regarded as one of China’s top AI research centers. The lab has made significant contributions to the field and continues to attract top talent from around the world. Zhou brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having worked as the chief scientist of the Watson Group at IBM and as the cloud and AI president at JD.com.

One of Zhou’s key goals is to address the current imbalance in global AI development. He believes that while developers are focused on enhancing the performance of AI systems, not enough attention is being paid to ensuring their safety and mitigating potential risks. Zhou aims to create a technical system that prioritizes safety while still pushing the boundaries of AI performance. He envisions a future where AI systems can self-assess and review the impact and risks of their own actions.

Zhou’s vision aligns with the aspirations of the Shanghai AI Lab, which aims to conduct pioneering research and make fundamental contributions to the field. The lab’s description on LinkedIn outlines its mission to generate original and influential findings that shape the future of AI. In fact, earlier this year, the lab made headlines when it collaborated with the state broadcaster China Media Group to create what was touted as the country’s first cartoon series made using generative AI.

Zhou’s appointment marks a new chapter in the history of the Shanghai AI Lab. As he takes the helm, he carries the responsibility of continuing the groundbreaking work initiated by Tang Xiao’ou while charting new paths for AI development. With his extensive background in AI research and industry experience, Zhou is poised to guide the lab towards greater heights and cement its status as a leader in the field.

As Premier Li Qiang remarked at the WAIC, “The Shanghai AI Lab is a national asset that plays a crucial role in China’s AI ecosystem. We are confident that under the leadership of Zhou Bowen, it will contribute significantly to the advancement of AI research and development.”

Zhou’s appointment comes at a time when the world is witnessing rapid advancements in AI technology. As AI continues to shape various aspects of our lives, ensuring its safety and ethical use has become paramount. Through his focus on AI safety and self-assessment, Zhou intends to steer the Shanghai AI Lab towards a future where cutting-edge AI research goes hand in hand with responsible innovation.