Linux Foundation Launches Open AI Effort

The Linux Foundation launched a deep learning initiative this week designed to create a "neutral space for harmonization and acceleration" of AI, machine learning and deep learning technologies. The initial focus will be an AI standardization effort. The open source project called LF Deep Learning Foundation seeks to make the emerging AI technologies widely available to data scientists and developers, the group said during this week's Open Networking Summit in Los Angeles. Founding members include several Chinese technology giants that are pouring huge sums into AI research as part of a national strategy to dominate AI. They are: China's search giant Baidu; networking giant Huawei (SHE: 002502); Tencent, often referred to as China's Facebook; and telecommunications equipment vendor ZTE (SHE: 000063).