To evaluate China’s emerging digital technologies and artificial intelligence, The Ankara Center for Crisis and Political Studies (ANKASAM) presents below the interview with Bingyi Yang, Research Fellow at Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), Beijing, China.
1. What are the factors (dynamics) behind China’s rapid rise in technology?
China’s development and progress in the field of technology are evident to all countries around the world. As we know, scientific and technological progress is the result of the combined effect of many factors. For China, we cannot ignore the influence of national strategies and policies.
From the strategy of “revitalizing the country through science and education” to “innovation-driven development,” and further to the strategy of building a “science and technology power,” the country has continuously optimized its layout for scientific and technological development, clarifying the core position of scientific and technological innovation in national development. Of course, benefit from the advantages accumulated over more than a decade internet industry development in China, the country has gained extensive experience in the commercialization of technology. As a result, it is often possible to quickly transform new technologies into industrial applications and quickly bring it to the consumer markets. This is precisely why global consumers can quickly see the fruits of China’s scientific and technological achievements.
2. What can you say about China’s leadership in the field of digital technology in the world? Can you explain the point reached by the world countries and China in this regard comparatively?
As for the digital technology issue, the first thing I need to clarify is that China has no intention of taking a leading position in this area. In the field of digital technology, China has always focused on its own development. Of course, China’s vast domestic market has provided ample space for experimentation with new digital technologies. Through continuous trial and error, we have widely applied emerging digital technologies across various industrial sectors, thereby identifying those digital technologies that are widely accepted by consumers.
3. Can you talk about the importance China attaches to artificial intelligence? Also, why has artificial intelligence become so critical in the world? What is China’s share in this?
China places great emphasis on the development of artificial intelligence (AI), actively promoting the deep integration of the Internet, big data, AI, and the real economy. This integration aims to cultivate a robust intelligent industry, accelerate the development of new-quality productive forces, and provide new impetus for high-quality development. AI is considered a key driver of the new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, and it has profound implications for global economic and social development as well as the progress of human civilization.
Artificial intelligence has become critically important worldwide because it serves as a powerful tool that can be applied across almost all economic activities. It drives technological breakthroughs, enhances production efficiency, and creates new industries and job opportunities. AI also plays a crucial role in improving the quality of life and addressing global challenges such as healthcare, education, and environmental sustainability.
China has made significant progress in AI and holds an important position globally. By 2024, China’s AI market size reached 747 billion RMB, accounting for 20.9% of the global market. The country is home to over 4,500 AI-related enterprises, with notable strengths in areas such as computer vision, natural language processing, and intelligent manufacturing.
Of course, China is also willing to share the significant achievements in artificial intelligence development with countries around the world, especially to the global south country. Last year, China proposed the U.N. General Assembly Resolution on Enhancing International Cooperation on Capacity-Building of Artificial Intelligence (A/RES/78/311), and proposed “ AI Capacity-Building Action Plan for Good and for All”, through the “five visions” and “ten actions”, which are highly targeted and operational, fully reflecting China’s determination and sincerity in promoting pragmatic cooperation in the field of AI. China proposes the establishment of a Group of Friends for International Cooperation on AI Capacity Building, hoping it will become a platform for implementing inclusive plans and carrying out exchanges and cooperation. Moreover, China launched China-BRICS Artificial Intelligence Development and Cooperation Center, which provides a platform for the AI industry cooperation with the BRICS country.
Bingyi YANG
Bingyi Yang is a Research Fellow at Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), Beijing, China. She worked before as a Research Specialist at the Center for International Security and Strategy, Tsinghua University; as a Research Assistant at the Research Assistant, Institute of International and Strategic Studies, Peking University. Bingyi Yang has proficiencies on International Strategy, Policy Research, AI, Global Governance and AI Industrial Research.