ai district
Beijing is getting a $2.1 billion AI district
China is gearing up to build a technology park in Beijing entirely dedicated to the development of artificial intelligence, news first reported by Xinhua, the country's official press agency. Master plan: The endeavor is just the latest sign of China's remarkable ambition to master and dominate artificial intelligence by 2020. Last year the central government published a three-year-plan to invest huge sums in AI, and to apply the technology across the country's industries and economy (see "China's AI Awakening"). Key details: The plan will apparently establish a "national AI research center" and, interestingly, will include efforts to form partnerships with foreign research institutions and companies. This seems like a smart move given the opportunities presented by China's vast economy, and it could help strengthen the country's position as a force in AI in years to come.