China has approved this year’s first batch of large language models (LLMs) – the technology used to train ChatGPT and similar services – as a growing number of domestic technology companies are helping drive the wider adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) across various industries.
A total of 14 LLMs and enterprise applications were recently given the green light by authorities for commercial use, according to local media reports and company announcements including those from smartphone giant Xiaomi, AI specialist Beijing Fourth Paradigm Technology Co and Beijing-based tech unicorn 01.AI, founded by venture capitalist Lee Kai-fu.
This new batch includes a number of industry-specific LLMs, compared with the general AI models from previous approvals, reflecting how AI development and regulation in mainland China are pushing the technology to boost efficiency in enterprises.
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The latest approvals come after an initial number of generative AI services were allowed for release to the public last August. A month earlier, a new government body called the China Electronic Standardisation Institute was set up to implement a national standard for LLMs.
Sample image of code in an artificial intelligence large language model. Photo: Shutterstock alt=Sample image of code in an artificial intelligence large language model. Photo: Shutterstock>
Start-up Frontis.AI, which was founded in 2021 by former JD.com senior vice-president Zhou Bowen, was granted approvals in January for its “Pinshang” and “Moxiaoxian” LLMs, which offer consumer product companies with industry insights as well as product and marketing innovation support.
Frontis.AI expects to provide more customised services to its enterprise clients, according to a company statement published last Thursday on its official WeChat account.
The industry-specific LLMs of cybersecurity firm ThreatBook and video solutions provider XinYi Tech were also approved this month.
ThreatBook’s XGPT AI model is the first LLM focused on internet security in China. The company said its LLM can help enterprises get timely and accurate analysis of potential security threats. XinYi Tech’s LLM, also a first in the domestic industry, is focused on AI-powered video-generating and processing tools, which are meant for areas like advertising, education, media and even e-commerce, according to the firm.
Notable AI applications approved this month include an intelligent resume-polishing tool from Chinese online recruitment platform Zhaopin, as well as chatbots from e-commerce services firm Beijing Zhidemai Tech and mobile-books-magazine-and-comics provider iReader Technology.
The number of government-approved LLMs and related applications in China currently total more than 40.
Still, the country’s frenzy over LLMs was “a huge waste of resources”, according to Robin Li Yanhong, the founder, chairman and chief executive of internet search and AI giant Baidu, in a speech last November.
Li called on the government to push for greater application development initiatives that will bring to market more ChatGPT-like services. He said there were already 238 LLMs introduced in the country as of October – most of which are yet to receive government approval.
This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP’s Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright © 2024 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
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