Kai-Fu Lee, a notable figure in the tech industry and former head of Google China, recently indicated that China’s AI products are lagging behind those of the US by approximately six to nine months.
Despite this, the rate of AI development and application in China is set to outpace that of the US. Lee shared these insights while speaking at the AVCJ Private Equity Forum China, highlighting the rapid advancement of large language models (LLMs) capable of handling vast data and generating text, images, and videos.
Accelerated growth in AI applications is expected
During his presentation, Lee emphasized that although China’s LLMs are slightly behind, the gap is closing quickly. He stated that less sophisticated AI models from China are about 15 months behind their US counterparts. However, Lee confidently predicted that AI applications will proliferate much faster in China by early next year than in the US due to decreased costs associated with training advanced AI models.
Future outlook on AI leadership
Lee also discussed the future landscape of AI, suggesting that China is poised to lead in creating some of the world’s most innovative AI applications. He noted the potential shift in the industry, saying, “It’s inevitable that China will [build] the best AI apps in the world.” However, he remained uncertain whether these developments would emerge from large or small companies. In addition, Lee speculated that it might take five to eight years for generative AI consumer applications to evolve into a comprehensive super app capable of performing multiple functions.
Addressing future technological needs, Lee advocated for developing new devices that surpass current smartphones’ capabilities. He envisioned devices that are “always on and always listening,” which would significantly enhance the utility and responsiveness of AI applications. This shift indicates a move towards more integrated and accessible AI technologies in everyday life.
Chinese firms push forward in AI
The AI landscape in China is highly competitive, with major players like Alibaba and Tencent leading the charge. Following the global excitement sparked by OpenAI’s release of ChatGPT, Chinese tech giants have quickly developed their AI models. Baidu, for instance, launched its Ernie Bot, while other firms introduced similar innovations. The newly unveiled Vidu, a text-to-video model by ShengShu Technology backed by Alibaba’s Ant Group, demonstrates advanced capabilities in reliably portraying characters in AI-generated videos, a boon for advertisers aiming to create dynamic promotional content.
The race for AI dominance is fierce, with China rapidly catching up to the US. Innovations continue to unfold, driven by established tech giants and emerging startups, each contributing to the robust growth of AI technology not only in China but globally.