TLDR
- Chinese AI products are 6-9 months behind US counterparts
- AI apps expected to proliferate faster in China than in US
- Cost of training AI models has significantly decreased
- It may take 5-8 years for a “super app” with multiple AI capabilities
- New devices beyond smartphones needed for advanced AI applications
China’s artificial intelligence (AI) sector is rapidly evolving, with the country’s tech giants and startups alike pushing to catch up with their US counterparts.
According to Kai-Fu Lee, former president of Google China and founder of AI startup 01.AI, Chinese AI products are currently about six to nine months behind those in the United States. However, Lee predicts that AI applications will soon proliferate in China at a faster rate than in the US.
China’s tech industry has been making significant strides in AI development. Major players like Alibaba, Tencent, and Baidu have launched their own AI models and applications, while numerous startups are emerging in the field.
This surge in AI innovation was largely sparked by the success of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which, although not officially available in China, has inspired local alternatives.
Baidu, for instance, introduced its chatbot called Ernie Bot, while other tech giants have followed suit with their own AI models. Recently, ShengShu Technology, backed by Alibaba’s affiliate Ant Group, unveiled a text-to-video model named Vidu, which aims to enhance the portrayal of main characters in AI-generated clips.
Closing the Gap
While Chinese AI products may be lagging behind their US counterparts, the gap is narrowing. Lee notes that less advanced models from China could be behind US models by up to 15 months, but leading large language models (LLMs) used by Chinese companies are only six to nine months behind.
The rapid progress in China’s AI sector can be attributed to several factors:
- Decreasing costs: The cost of training good AI models has fallen significantly, making it more accessible for companies to develop and improve their AI technologies.
- Competitive landscape: The cut-throat AI industry in China is driving innovation, with companies constantly striving to stay ahead of the competition.
- Government support: China’s commitment to becoming a global leader in AI has led to increased funding and favorable policies for AI research and development.
Future Prospects
Lee predicts that by early next year, AI apps will proliferate in China much faster than in the US. However, he also notes that it might take between five to eight years to develop a “super app” that can perform multiple AI-powered tasks effectively.
The tech expert also emphasizes the need for new devices to fully harness the potential of AI. Current smartphones may not be sufficient to handle the requirements of advanced AI applications.
Lee suggests that “the right device ought to be always on and always listening,” indicating a shift towards more integrated and responsive AI technologies.
