Xi'an launches AI innovation development pilot zone

A conference on the proposed construction in Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi province, of a national new generation artificial intelligence (AI) innovation and development pilot zone was held in Xi'an High-tech Industries Development Zone on April 9.

The conference saw 11 projects signed with an investment of 3.73 billion yuan ($530.12 million).

Yao Qizhi, academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the winner of internationally prestigious Turing Award, and his team donated the first AI "Qiming 910" chip sample they developed to Xi'an.

Participating officials awarded the title of Xi'an new generation AI innovation open platform to six universities and institutes.

Recipients were Xi'an Jiaotong University, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xidian University, Chang'an University, the Huawei Xi'an Research Institute and Xi'an Institute for Interdisciplinary Information Core Technology.

At present, Xi'an has 49 R & D platforms above the provincial level and more than 150 related companies in the field, covering the main industrial fields of AI.

Using the development of the AI innovation and development pilot zone as an opportunity, officials said Xi’an will promote basic theoretical research, key technology research and training of top minds to enhance the deep integration of AI and economic and social development.