After more than twenty months of an AI frenzy in the global tech sector, Alibaba once again focused on generative artificial intelligence (AI) at the 2024 Yunqi Conference, showcasing China’s extensive exploration in the field of AI applications.
The 2024 Yunqi Conference opened on September 19 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, under the theme “Cloud-Enabled Intelligence Leap, Industry Transformation.” As a major event in the global tech arena, it attracted significant attention, particularly in the context of the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI).
At the conference, Alibaba's CEO Wu Yongming stated that the pace of AI development has surpassed any historical period in the past 22 months, yet the transformation towards Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) remains in its early stages.
Since OpenAI released ChatGPT, global AI technology has experienced a wave of enthusiasm, followed by a gradual decline in disappointment and skepticism as the innovation curve slowed. Wu emphasized that the potential of generative AI should not be limited to creating new super applications but should fundamentally change the way the digital and physical worlds interact. This perspective is thought-provoking, reflecting China’s determination and foresight in promoting AI applications.
China's AI development has already shown enormous potential, with the increasing diversity of the industry and market demand providing fertile ground for technological innovation. The phenomenon of "AI reconstructing products" mentioned by Wu is emerging across multiple sectors. From automotive and biomedicine to education and gaming, the deep penetration of AI is transforming the operations of traditional industries.
Wu compared generative AI to the development of the internet, noting that the internet primarily connects people, information, and services, while generative AI enhances productivity and supply intelligence, creating greater intrinsic value. This analysis not only reveals the path of technological evolution but also offers a new perspective on understanding China's unique role in the global AI wave.
With the rise of large models, AI is not only capable of simulating human perception but also achieving breakthroughs in reasoning and creativity. This shift means that future intelligent robots will not be limited to executing simple tasks; they will be able to understand and adapt to complex physical environments, leading to profound changes across various industries. For example, companies like DeepMind Technology and Tuya Smart have made significant progress in utilizing AI for complex scientific research and industrial automation.
From a global perspective, the rapid rise of generative AI undoubtedly brings opportunities for the future intelligent industry. However, Wu pointed out that improving infrastructure is a prerequisite for the widespread application of AI. China's significant investments in fiber optic networks, cloud computing, and 5G infrastructure have laid a solid foundation for AI’s prosperity. This reality not only raises expectations for China's leadership position in the global AI sector but also highlights the need to pay attention to the infrastructure that underpins technology.
As the demand for computing power skyrockets, the AI infrastructure is undergoing a transition from CPU dominance to GPU dominance. Wu mentioned that over 50% of new computing power demand is driven by AI, indicating that AI's potential is continuously being unleashed. Against this backdrop, Alibaba Cloud's investment in computing power infrastructure will further promote the application and development of AI technology.