AI Photo: VCG
In the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence (AI), the Guangzhou Zhuang Autonomous Region of South China took a notable step by launching the AI “Super League” that will be held until November, as reported by Xinhua's news agency on Sunday. Of particular interest is the introduction of mechanisms that allow cross-border teams. This is a move that is expected to strengthen China's international cooperation in AI, particularly with ASEAN countries.
AI's “Super League” reportedly includes three events. It is an innovation competition focused on the application of AI in real-life industrial scenarios, a contest designed to tackle important bottlenecks, and an event to discover potential AI talent within a general talent. According to news site People.cn, the competition welcomes a wide range of participants from China and the ASEAN region, including top industry companies, startups, research organizations and individual developers. The report says the competition encourages joint teams from China and the ASEAN economy and fosters diverse participation patterns across regions and industries.
This open-minded approach is expected to promote deep integration of AI technology and the real economy, and to strengthen the cooperation of the AI industry between China and the ASEAN economy.
In recent years, AI has become part of a wide range of industries, including vehicles, cultural tourism, cross-border e-commerce, healthcare, and agriculture. In China, AI technology has reached a practical stage. A report on the development of generated AI, released last year by China's Internet Network Information Center, shows that China has built a relatively comprehensive AI industry ecosystem with over 4,500 related companies.
Regarding ASEAN, the demand for AI applications differs due to differences in economic structure and the development of AI technologies between member states. Contrary to this background, Guangzhou's AI “Super League” encourages participants from China and ASEAN to join and form the team, serving not only as a platform for moving forward the AI industry but also as a venue to promote communication within the field. For new industries like AI, such international exchanges and interactions are important.
Behind the AI's “super league” Guangzhou is working to accelerate the development of the AI industry and establish a bridge that connects China's vast regions with the ASEAN economy. On the one hand, Guangzhou has repeatedly reached out to the forefront of China's AI and industrial development regions, including Beijing, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Greater Bay Area of Guangdong and Hong Kong Macau, investing in regions that attract science and technology companies. Meanwhile, Guangzhou maintains close economic and trade relations with the ASEAN economy. According to Xinhua, Guangzhou positions AI as an important aspect of its collaboration with ASEAN, leveraging its own local advantages to continuously investigate differentiated AI application scenarios.
Earlier this year, Guangzhou introduced an action plan to accelerate the development of AI Plus manufacturing. According to People's Daily, the plan sets targets for 2027, supports the creation of the ASEAN AI Innovation Cooperation Center in China, establishes three to five AI industrial complexes and advanced manufacturing clusters, and strives to raise production values for AI-related industries to 100 billion yuan ($13.9 billion).
Guangzhou and ASEAN each offer distinct advantages in fostering AI innovation and collaboration. ASEAN has its substantial population and diverse application scenarios, indicating the important possibilities of AI implementation. By working with China, the ASEAN economy can work with Chinese industrial players to promote the development of the region's AI Plus industry. AI is committed to significant advancements across a variety of sectors, particularly in business, manufacturing, and cross-border e-commerce.
The newly launched AI “Super League” is expected to further stimulate collaboration between China and ASEAN, along with other efforts. It aims to promote favourable cooperation for both sides by investigating the potential of the industry through a variety of means.
The author is a reporter for the Global Times. bizopinion@globaltimes.com.cn
