TL;DR:
- Beijing government is encouraging research in generative AI and digital content creation for Internet 3.0 technologies.
- Entities registered in Beijing are invited to submit proposals in 3 areas: 3D digital content creation, generative AI, and industrial application systems and equipment.
- Beijing has allocated 60 million yuan to support up to 12 projects over two years.
- The city aims to become a global leader in Internet 3.0 technology and replace foreign tech with home-grown alternatives.
- Generative AI, blockchain, high-end computing chips, telecoms, extended reality terminals, and digital content creation are central to Internet 3.0.
- Beijing plans to apply these technologies to smart cities and industrial manufacturing.
- Generative AI is a top priority, influenced by the success of ChatGPT.
- Beijing is already home to the largest concentration of AI enterprises and talent in China.
- Beijing plans to support local AI research and build an ecosystem of open-source frameworks and applications.
Main AI News:
Beijing, the thriving metropolis at the forefront of China’s quest for technological independence amidst escalating tensions with the United States, is now encouraging subsidized research initiatives focusing on generative artificial intelligence (AI) and digital content creation.
In a bid to bolster its position as a global leader in Internet 3.0 technologies, the city has invited scientific research entities registered within its jurisdiction to submit proposals in three key areas: 3D digital content creation, generative AI, and the research and development of industrial application systems and equipment, including augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). This call to action was announced through a notice published on the municipal technology promotion agency’s website on Friday.
To facilitate these groundbreaking endeavors, Beijing has allocated an impressive sum of 60 million yuan (US$8.6 million) to support up to 12 projects over a span of two years. This move aligns with the city’s comprehensive three-year plan, spanning until 2025, aimed at bolstering research and development in the realm of Internet 3.0. The plan envisions Beijing transforming into a “highland for Internet 3.0 technology” with global recognition while also prioritizing advancements in six core technologies to expedite technological localization and replace foreign tech with domestically developed alternatives.
Among the technologies considered pivotal to the success of Internet 3.0, Beijing places significant emphasis on generative AI, blockchain, high-end computing chips, telecoms, extended reality terminals, and digital content creation. By harnessing the potential of these technologies, Beijing anticipates their application across a broad spectrum of scenarios, ranging from powering smart cities to revolutionizing industrial manufacturing.
Generative AI takes center stage as the leading priority in both research proposals and working plans, underscoring Beijing’s growing fascination with this field. This heightened interest can be attributed to the remarkable impact of ChatGPT, the widely acclaimed AI-powered bot introduced by the American start-up OpenAI in November last year.
Capable of responding to intricate queries, ChatGPT astounded Chinese firms with its ability to generate code snippets and even create works of fiction. In response, technology giants such as Baidu and Alibaba Group Holding, the parent company of the Post, scrambled to develop similar products based on their proprietary AI models.
Notably, Beijing already boasts the largest concentration of AI enterprises and talent in China, as highlighted in a white paper published by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology in February. Nevertheless, the astonishing capabilities of ChatGPT have caught many local firms off guard, necessitating swift action to remain competitive.
Consequently, Beijing has intensified its support for domestic AI research, as evidenced by commitments made by local officials during the Beijing Artificial Intelligence Industry Innovation and Development Conference held in February. These commitments include assisting companies in developing large-language models akin to ChatGPT, as well as fostering an ecosystem of open-source frameworks and applications for these models.
Beijing’s ambitious endeavor to spearhead research and development in Internet 3.0 is driven by its unwavering commitment to technological self-reliance. Through strategic investments and prioritization of critical technologies, the city aims to unlock new frontiers in generative AI and virtual reality, ultimately shaping a future where Beijing stands tall as a global powerhouse in cutting-edge technologies.
Conlcusion:
Beijing’s push for increased research in generative AI and virtual reality, as part of its Internet 3.0 initiative, signifies significant implications for the market. The allocation of substantial funding and the prioritization of key technologies indicate Beijing’s determination to establish itself as a global leader in cutting-edge technological advancements.
This focused investment, coupled with the city’s existing stronghold in the AI sector, will likely lead to a surge in innovation, fostering a competitive market environment. Companies operating in the fields of generative AI, digital content creation, and industrial application systems and equipment can expect increased opportunities for collaboration and growth as Beijing strives to achieve technological self-reliance and propel the market forward.
Moreover, the city’s emphasis on fostering an ecosystem of open-source frameworks and applications highlights the potential for the development of standardized solutions that could benefit a broader range of industries. Overall, Beijing’s initiatives in Internet 3.0 set the stage for dynamic market developments and hold promise for both domestic and international players in the technology sector.
