Artificial intelligence a key driver behind next-generation development

Guangzhou has witnessed explosive growth in its high-tech sector, amid efforts to establish itself as an international hub for innovation.

In 2016, the number of high-tech enterprises in the city increased by 2,820 from 2015. There were 4,740 high-tech enterprises in total, ranking it No 4 among all cities in the country.

As a major part of the city's IAB industries - new-generation information technology, artificial intelligence and biomedicine - AI is a prioritized industry among Guangzhou's decision-makers due to the high growth potential of local companies in the field.

Ehang Intelligence Technology, a local company engaged in the civilian drone industry, started to supply units to a takeaway food delivery platform in 2015. Its drones are used to deliver food to customers' homes.

IFlytek, an AI and voice recognition firm, set up its South China regional branch in Guangzhou in 2015, to carry out its key missions in research, sales and developing innovative projects in the region.

The company initiated an AI project with the local government and companies after its establishment, eyeing the possible areas that could make use of its AI technology.

An educational software product developed by iFlytek in Guangzhou has served more than 6,000 schools, and 15 million teachers and students throughout China.

The business revenue of iFlytek's Guangzhou branch has soared in the past two years. Du Lan, general manager of iFlytek's South China operations, said that Guangzhou is an ideal city for the company to develop its AI technology.

"Guangzhou can provide the preferential policies we want. The industrial clusters building up in the city's Haizhu and Nansha districts are ready to provide support for us to develop AI projects.

"IFlytek has noticed the beneficial environment in Guangzhou and regards the city as its strategic center. I hope the application of AI technologies can provide diverse possibilities for everyone living here. In the future, AI technologies will be seen everywhere, just like water and electricity," Du said.

The size of Guangzhou's AI industry is at the national forefront, with an output of 57.5 billion yuan in 2016, according to local officials.

A number of centers for AI development have taken shape, including the Guangdong Intelligent Manufacturing Demonstration Base, the Intelligent Industrial Park in Huangpu Machinery Valley, the Zengcheng Intelligent Equipment Manufacturing Industrial Park, the Huadu New Energy Vehicles and Intelligent Manufacturing Equipment Industrial Park, and the Liwan 3D Printing Industrial Park.

Guangzhou said it welcomes investment from global AI companies in the hope they will bring in core technologies for the research, development and production of advanced robots, intelligent unmanned aerial vehicles, intelligent machine tools and equipment for new materials manufacturing, according to local officials.