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China tops world in AI patent filings, surpassing the US for the first time
- The US and China are jostling to dominate advanced technologies, from 5G to quantum computing and AI
- China filed more than 110,000 artificial intelligence patent applications last year
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China now leads the world in artificial intelligence patent applications, surpassing the United States for the first time, a development seen bolstering the country’s position as the second-largest market for AI amid Beijing’s tech and trade war with Washington.
The achievement was highlighted by Li Yuxiao, deputy head of the Chinese Academy of Cyberspace Studies, at a press conference on Monday during the 7th World Internet Conference (WIC).
China filed more than 110,000 AI patent applications last year to move ahead of the US in the number of such filings worldwide, according to Li, whose agency is affiliated with industry regulator the Cyberspace Administration of China.
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“China is strengthening its independence and technological capabilities in internet information technology,” said Li, who did not specify the number of AI patents filed by the US in 2019.
China plans to be a world leader in artificial intelligence by 2030
The US and China are jostling to dominate advanced technologies, from 5G to quantum computing and AI. The sharp rise in China’s AI patent applications, funding and commercial deployment in surveillance activities prompted the US government to take action in October last year, when a number of the country’s AI tech champions were added to Washington’s trade blacklist. That has restricted their access to American hi-tech components like semiconductors and software.
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