China’s MIIT Signals Major Push for General and Industry-Specific AI Large Models

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) (Gongye he Xinxihua Bu 工业和信息化部) is doubling down on Artificial Intelligence (AI), signaling a strategic move to boost the development and deployment of both general and industry-specific large AI models.

Heads up for anyone watching the Chinese tech scene – this is a big deal.

MIIT is also prioritizing the creation of high-quality datasets specifically for the industrial sector.

Think massive, curated data pools to train smarter AI for factories and supply chains.

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China’s Existing AI Foundation

According to Xie Shaofeng (谢少锋), Chief Engineer at MIIT, China isn’t starting from scratch.

The country already boasts a pretty complete AI (Rengong Zhineng 人工智能) industrial system.

This system covers the whole stack:

• Foundational Layer: The core tech and hardware.
• Framework Layer: Tools and platforms for building AI.
• Model Layer: The large AI models themselves.
• Application Layer: Where AI gets put to work.

We’re already seeing large AI models being rolled out across key industries like:

• Electronics
• Raw materials
• Consumer goods

These models are finding practical uses in areas such as:

• Research & Development (R&D)
• Pilot testing
• Manufacturing processes
• Production optimization
• Operational management

Manufacturing: The Next Frontier for AI

Xie Shaofeng stressed that manufacturing is a prime target for AI integration.

The next phase involves pushing AI adoption hard to power China’s “New Industrialization” (Xinxing Gongyehua 新型工业化).

What’s “New Industrialization”? Think of it as China’s strategic push to upgrade its massive industrial base using advanced tech like AI, IoT, and robotics.

MIIT’s plan focuses on two sides of the coin:

1. Supply: Developing better, more powerful AI tools and models.
2. Application: Getting those tools into the hands of manufacturers.

The goal? Drive intelligent upgrades across:

• The entire manufacturing process (from design to delivery).
• Key industrial sectors.
• Specific product lines.

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Building the Ecosystem: Support and Standards

MIIT isn’t just talking tech; they’re talking about building the entire ecosystem.

This includes:

• Cultivating Leading Enterprises: Supporting the big players driving AI innovation.
• Boosting SMEs: Nurturing “Specialized, Refined, Unique, and New” (Zhuanjing Texin 专精特新) small and medium-sized enterprises. These are high-potential SMEs recognized for their niche expertise and innovation.
• Fostering Open Source: Building AI open-source communities to accelerate collaboration and development.
• Developing Standards: Speeding up the creation of crucial and urgently needed AI standards – essential for interoperability and quality control.

This multi-pronged approach highlights a serious commitment to making AI a core part of China’s industrial future.

Focusing on both foundational general large models and specialized industry-specific large models shows a strategy aiming for both broad capabilities and deep, practical applications, particularly within manufacturing.

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FAQs

What are “large models” in AI?

Large models, often called Large Language Models (LLMs) or Foundation Models, are AI systems trained on vast amounts of data. They can understand and generate human-like text, translate languages, write different kinds of creative content, and answer your questions in an informative way. Examples include models like GPT-4 or Google’s Gemini. China is developing its own, like Baidu’s Ernie Bot.

Why is MIIT focusing on both general and industry-specific models?

General large models provide broad capabilities and can be adapted for many tasks (like ChatGPT). Industry-specific models are trained on data tailored to a particular sector (like manufacturing, healthcare, finance) making them highly effective for specialized tasks within that industry. Focusing on both allows for broad innovation plus targeted, practical solutions.

What is “New Industrialization” in China?

New Industrialization (Xinxing Gongyehua 新型工业化) refers to China’s national strategy to transform and upgrade its industrial sector. It emphasizes moving beyond traditional manufacturing towards high-tech, sustainable, and digitally integrated industries, heavily leveraging technologies like AI, IoT, and advanced robotics.

Why is manufacturing a key focus for AI application in China?

Manufacturing is a massive part of China’s economy. Applying AI can lead to significant improvements in efficiency, quality control, predictive maintenance, supply chain optimization, and product design, boosting competitiveness and driving economic growth within this critical sector.

What are “Specialized, Refined, Unique, and New” (Zhuanjing Texin 专精特新) SMEs?

This is a government designation in China for high-performing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These companies are recognized for specializing in a niche market, employing refined management practices, offering unique products or services, and demonstrating strong innovation capabilities. Supporting them is key to fostering a dynamic and innovative industrial base.

References:

Original Source:

• Xinhua News Agency (新华社): 工业和信息化部：加强通用大模型和行业大模型研发布局 (April 27, 2024)

Relevant Articles:

• South China Morning Post: China vows to speed up AI development, vows action against those who hinder tech (April 18, 2024)
• Reuters: China pushes home-grown AI models, quietly limits use of ChatGPT (April 12, 2024)
• Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT): Official Website (Homepage)