AI, China Dominate Semiconductor Funding

LONDON--China's use of facial recognition technology for widespread state surveillance has been feverishly reported by many media in recent months. The latest is the UK's Financial Times, which reminds us of a 2015 official paper that articulated a vision to have a national video surveillance network by 2020 that is omnipresent, always working and fully controllable. The technology upon which it is based is reflected in the figures for investments in artificial intelligence (AI) and related tech companies, including semiconductor companies. Take for example Beijing-based SenseTime, which in the second quarter raised more than $1.2 billion. Among other things, it provides AI-powered surveillance for the Chinese police.