Artificial Intelligence (AI) has remained a hot topic in China for years. The research and development of AI has drawn continuous waves of investment from the capital market.

AI enjoys rapid development thanks to the significant progress in new materials, mobile Internet, big data, supercomputing and brain science as well as strong market demand. In return, the application of AI technologies is changing people's lives profoundly and promoting economic and social transformation. China has made significant progress in AI development. In terms of the number of papers published and patents, China ranks second in the world. In some areas like automatic speech recognition and visual identity, Chinese scientists have accomplished key breakthroughs. China is also one of a few countries that take a leading position in developing industrial robots and unmanned vehicles. The age of AI is on the horizon.

Meanwhile, we must stay cool to the thriving investment in developing AI technologies and products, preventing nearsighted speculations in the area. There is still a gap between China and developed countries in this area. China still lacks major original breakthroughs and leading AI scientists. The country should give priority to cultivating innovative researchers.

The government should enhance supervision and regulation of AI's development and prevent new technologies from being used in crimes. AI has a wide influence on social and economic activities. The technology is advancing rapidly and it may bring challenges to laws and social ethics and individual privacy. So it is necessary to stay cautious and vigilant to any possible risks, ensuring AI technologies are secure, reliable and under control.

(This is an edited excerpt of an article published in People's Daily on September 11)