AI Photo:VCG

Beijing's core AI industry is mkexpected to surpass 300 billion yuan ($41.2 billion) in 2024, marking a 12 percent year-on-year increase, according to the Beijing Artificial Intelligence Industry White Paper 2024, released at the Chinese Congress on Artificial Intelligence (CCAI), which is being held in Beijing from Friday to Sunday.

The White Paper notes that global powers are strengthening and updating their AI strategies. Breakthroughs in generative AI and large models are driving rapid innovation, showcasing a global landscape led by the US and China, with other nations striving to catch up.

The paper highlights Beijing's significant achievements in AI development. Beijing leads the nation in AI talent, scholarly output, and published research. 

Thirty universities now offer AI undergraduate programs, more than 20 have established AI colleges or institutes, and 32 universities hold doctoral or master's degree authorization in directly related AI disciplines. 

Numerous national AI technology and industry innovation platforms are based in Beijing, with several national key laboratories for AI under construction in the city.

The White Paper reveals that in 2024, Beijing's AI industry continues to grow steadily. The city is home to over 2,400 AI enterprises, a year-on-year growth of over 9 percent. 

There are 46 publicly listed AI companies with a total market value of 4.3 trillion yuan. Beijing is also home to 36 unicorn companies, accounting for more than half of the national total. 

Social financing in Beijing leads the nation, with approximately 32 billion yuan raised in the first three quarters of 2024, representing an 84 percent year-on-year increase. 

Moreover, 94 large models have been registered in Beijing, comprising about 40 percent of the national total.

The White Paper underscores Beijing's ongoing investments in mainstream technologies like general large language models, with some achievements on par with international standards. 

Meanwhile, Beijing is also exploring disruptive technologies such as brain-inspired intelligence and photonic computing to seize the next wave of AI development.

Regarding resource allocation, Beijing is enhancing its computing infrastructure. Several E-level intelligent computing centers are under accelerated construction. The AI industry fund invested 2 billion yuan in 2024, attracting 8.3 billion yuan in additional funding. 

In terms of application implementation, 25 primary and secondary schools have launched AI pilot programs, and a national-level legal large-model innovation platform is set to be established in Beijing.

The CCAI 2024 was held from Friday to Sunday in Beijing, focusing on AI core technologies and frontier fields. Over 200 experts exchanged research results, discussed applications and trends.