In an electrifying speech at the World Internet Conference in China, Alibaba CEO Eddie Wu Yongming shared his insights on the future of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on various industries. He emphasized Alibaba’s commitment to advancing AI technology in China and laying the groundwork for its development across the country. Wu stated, “In the next three decades, AI will comprehensively enhance productivity across the globe.”
Alibaba, known as the e-commerce giant, has been investing heavily in AI and is determined to support the growth of this technology in traditional industries. One significant step towards achieving this goal is offering open-source versions of its AI models for use by partners. This move enables companies in different sectors to leverage the power of AI and drive productivity revolutions. Wu highlighted the company’s effort to foster a vibrant AI ecosystem and lower the barriers for industries to adopt and develop AI technologies.
The World Internet Conference, held in the canal town of Wuzhen in eastern Zhejiang province, is placing a special emphasis on AI this year. Panels and discussions surrounding responsible AI development, innovation, and governance are taking center stage. The conference plans to establish a special AI expert committee, further reflecting the importance of AI in shaping the future.
Developing AI in China has gained increased urgency due to the restrictions imposed by the US, aimed at preventing China from catching up in the field of advanced semiconductors. To counter these limitations, Chinese internet giants like Alibaba are investing heavily in infrastructure to drive down costs and improve access to AI technologies. In fact, the costs of using Alibaba’s proprietary Tongyi Qianwen AI models through application programming interfaces have decreased by an impressive 97% in the past year.
Alibaba’s AI technology is not limited to commerce; it also finds applications in the academic field. Over 50 Chinese tertiary institutions have begun utilizing Alibaba’s cloud computing and AI services for scientific research in areas such as biology and agriculture. By offering these services to the academic community, Alibaba is promoting the development and application of AI across diverse fields of study.
In conclusion, Wu expresses his belief that just as affordable electricity paved the way to the “Age of Electricity,” cheap and accessible computing power will usher in the “Age of Intelligence.” With Alibaba’s dedication to AI development and its efforts to support various industries, the future of AI in China appears promising, laying the foundation for a transformative era.
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