China’s largest artificial intelligence (AI) fair, the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), took place in Shanghai this week, showcasing the country’s enthusiasm for AI despite US sanctions on chips and Beijing’s cautious approach to generative AI. The event featured a ChatGPT frenzy, with local companies eager to exhibit their services, despite the absence of OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Bard due to China’s closed market for foreign generative AI applications.
The floor of the WAIC was filled with Chinese large language models (LLMs) and localized applications, as OpenAI announced the general availability of GPT-4 through an API for developers. Alibaba Group Holding unveiled Tongyi Wanxiang, an application for generating images in the style of the Midjourney model. The model supports multiple languages, allowing users to describe the desired photo, and can generate additional photos in the same style upon request. Alibaba also showcased Tongyi Qianwen, a text-generation bot similar to ChatGPT, offering functions like writing love letters, teaching praise, and providing cooking recipes.
Several exhibitors demonstrated LLM-powered applications across various sectors such as logistics, education, finance, and construction. JD.com revealed its use of LLM technology to summarize and generate product listing details, replacing labor-intensive processes. Baidu showcased a plug-in function that turns Baidu’s AI model into an AI app store, allowing third-party developers to create their own apps. SenseTime, a facial recognition firm, revealed a comprehensive upgrade of its large AI model called SenseNova, enabling its chat bot SenseChat to handle long textual inputs, including academic papers and Cantonese. NetEase and Qihoo 360 also presented their LLM-based applications, aiming to improve the efficiency of traditional industries.
Tencent Holdings introduced its industry-oriented LLM platform, offering over 50 solutions for 10 industries, protecting enterprise users’ data while showcasing their models. Yu Xiaohui from the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology emphasized the agency’s role in promoting foundational and systematic innovation to enhance the Chinese LLM industry’s competitiveness. Xu Xiaolan, Vice-Minister for the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, highlighted the strong growth of China’s AI industry, consisting of over 4,300 enterprises with a market value exceeding 500 billion yuan.
Despite the caution surrounding generative AI and foreign applications, Chinese companies demonstrated their AI ambitions and capabilities at the WAIC, utilizing LLM-powered applications across various sectors. With major players like Alibaba, JD.com, Baidu, SenseTime, and Tencent showcasing their advancements, China’s AI industry continues to thrive and make significant contributions to the global AI landscape.
