China to use AI to evaluate science fund applications as part of its reform OpenGovAsia

According to China Daily, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the country's main foundation for basic scientific research, will undergo reforms to further support innovative talents and ground breaking scientific work. On 19 June, Director of the National Natural Science Foundation of China Mr Li Jinghai said that the Foundation will put in place new procedures to promoting academic evaluation and honesty, as well as strengthening interdisciplinary and international collaboration. He also shared that these initiatives are in the pipeline and will be tested in selected projects and institutions in 2019. "Right now, we are on the verge of major breakthroughs for the next technological revolution and industrial change, and we cannot afford to miss these opportunities like we did previously," said Mr Li. Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Mr Wang Zhigang stated that the Foundation should focus on supporting projects that can solve major and key challenges regarding China's socioeconomic development and national security.