Although the robot economy may inevitably lead to the disappearance of a series of jobs, at the same time, we should also see that such an automated economy can, in a sense, further expand China's economic advantages.

Since last year, artificial intelligence has become the darling of the tech industry, while other technologies such as AR and VR seem to have disappeared. At this year's Two Sessions, artificial intelligence was included in the government work report.

The importance of artificial intelligence is self-evident. In fact, in last year's reports on artificial intelligence by the White House and the British government, it was regarded as an important factor affecting future national strength; The White House even listed it as a national strategy.

In terms of economy alone, utilizing new artificial intelligence technologies to achieve automation will greatly improve productivity and save labor costs; By optimizing existing products and services in the industry, improving their quality and labor productivity, and creating new markets and employment opportunities to promote market prosperity and expand market space. All of these will greatly enhance the labor productivity of society and promote its prosperity and development.

Created a 'virtual workforce'

In a sense, artificial intelligence has provided a new energy for the economic development of this era, creating a new 'virtual labor force'. A recent report from Accenture and Frontiers in Economics boldly suggests that by 2035, the widespread adoption of AI based technologies may double the economic growth of many developed countries. The report estimates that artificial intelligence has the potential to increase the annual growth rates of total value added (similar to GDP) in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan to 4.6%, 3.9%, and 2.7%, respectively.

For China, the significance is not limited to this.

In this wave of artificial intelligence, the greatest value to the economy lies in achieving automation and mechanization on a larger scale. Although this automation economy, or robot economy, may inevitably lead to a series of job losses. But at the same time, we also need to see that such an automated economy can, in a sense, further expand China's economic advantages.

Or create a manufacturing 'blue ocean'

Many people cannot imagine that although the application prospects of artificial intelligence are very broad, including healthcare, education, public safety, transportation, etc., they all have enormous potential. However, in terms of specific practical applications, manufacturing may be the fastest blue ocean field for automation and intelligence.

The reason is actually very simple. China's traditional manufacturing industry is large but not strong, with a gap of at least 20 years compared to Japan and Germany. But this also provides another convenience for the transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry, which is that it is easily defeated by artificial intelligence technology and even easier to transform.

Firstly, these enterprises possess massive amounts of industry data and abundant funds; Secondly, in the context of the urgent need to improve productivity and the gradual disappearance of demographic dividends, these traditional enterprises also have an urgent desire to transform and upgrade their factories and businesses, increase profits, and reduce enterprise costs. Therefore, the manufacturing industry is not only an area where artificial intelligence can have great potential, but also an advantageous field for China to develop artificial intelligence.

China leads the world in huge opportunities

In addition, China also has a strong foundation in talent reserves and research achievements in the field of artificial intelligence. For example, in terms of talent, Chinese scientists have already occupied half of the global artificial intelligence research strength. Here is an example to illustrate China's influence.

The 2017 annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) was originally scheduled to be held in New Orleans at the end of January. There is no problem with the location, but the timing coincides with China's Spring Festival. This was nothing in the past, but now it's different. In view of the importance of Chinese AI scientists, the final meeting had to be postponed by one week and held in San Francisco. Moreover, the number of papers submitted at this conference that were ultimately accepted by both China and the United States was almost equal. This was hard to imagine in the past.

Data shows that the proportion of Chinese/Chinese authors in AI papers published on top global journals in 2015 reached 43%. At the same time, according to the report released by Wuzhen Think Tank last year, the number of patent applications and authorizations of AI in China exceeded that in the United States in 2012.

So, China not only has the foundation for developing artificial intelligence, but also has sufficient market demand for transformation and upgrading; China has both a latecomer advantage and a first mover advantage. As Li Kaifu said, artificial intelligence is a huge opportunity for China to lead the world.