The 2024 World Artificial Intelligence (AI) Conference and the High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance kicked off in Shanghai on July 4, bringing together global experts, government officials, entrepreneurs, academics, and investors to explore new opportunities in AI.
The Road to Artificial General Intelligence
AI has evolved through three generations, from machines mimicking human thinking and decision-making to the development of artificial neural networks, and now to advanced theoretical research. Today's AI heavily relies on large language models (LLMs), paving the way toward artificial general intelligence (AGI) through human interaction, multimodal generation, digital and physical world integration. As the scaling law of large models becomes evident, the dawn of AGI is nearing.
AI technologies are revolutionizing various sectors, including online shopping, intelligent virtual assistants, smart homes, and autonomous vehicles. These advancements enable more accurate user understanding, personalized services, and automation of tasks, enhancing convenience and efficiency in daily life.
China's AI industry has witnessed significant growth, with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology reporting a scale of 500 billion yuan ($68.8 billion) by June 2023. Housing over 4,400 AI companies, China ranks second globally after the United States. Unlike U.S. consumer-oriented AI models, China's business-driven AI spans 20 sub-sectors such as smart cities, intelligent manufacturing, and smart agriculture, driving industrial transformation and modernization.
Accelerating On-Device AI Implementation
The release of ChatGPT has spurred global companies to delve into large-model AI, igniting a wave of hardware innovation in AI-enabled devices. The rapid development of large models and hardware optimization has lowered computing costs, facilitating AI applications in smartphones, computers, and vehicles. This trend not only impacts daily work, life, and entertainment but also fosters industrial chain iteration and economic growth.
In the automotive sector, AI is propelling the advancement of autonomous driving. On-device intelligence is becoming an industry standard, with global sales of level 3 (L3) passenger vehicles projected to exceed 25,000 units in 2024 and China's market expected to reach 1 million L3 passenger vehicles by 2026.
Global AI Governance for Ethical Intelligence
While AI technology offers immense benefits, it also brings ethical challenges related to data security and privacy. Effective governance is crucial to balancing the risks and mitigating the negative impacts of this powerful technology. Currently, AI development outpaces regulatory frameworks, highlighting the need for global collaboration to establish comprehensive ethical systems and protection mechanisms through technical solutions, industry standards, legal constraints, public education, and coordinated policies.
Technology Without Borders
OpenAI's recent decision to restrict API access for Chinese developers starting July 9 has sparked discussions about the future of global AI cooperation. This move may temporarily challenge China's AI developer community but also presents opportunities for domestic large-model companies to fill the market gap and attract developers. It encourages increased research and development investments, enhancing technical capabilities and service quality. Additionally, it opens doors for Chinese companies to strengthen international collaborations and expand into global markets.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
