Guangzhou is gearing up to build an international hub of technological innovation according to the 2017 Guangzhou Roundtable on Artificial Intelligence (AI), held in the city on May 27.

"Guangzhou is now carrying out an inspiring and exciting plan focusing on IT/ICT, AI and biopharmaceuticals (IAB)," said Cai Chaolin, vice-mayor of Guangzhou. "Nansha district is the hotbed for the strategy, the AI sector in particular."

Twenty-eight experts and business leaders gathered to discuss the development of AI in Guangzhou. Founder of Yahoo, Yang Zhiyuan, Chairman of tech firm iFlytek Co, Liu Qingfeng, and Deng Zhong, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, made speeches and gave their insights.

Chairman of tech firm iFlytek Co Liu Qingfeng makes a speech on the topic of AI development in Guangzhou. [Photo/southcn.com]

At the meeting, the Guangzhou municipal government, the administration committee of Nansha development zone and China Broadband Capital Co (CBC Capital), a venture capital fund management company in China, signed a contract to create a 10-billion-yuan ($1.46 billion) foundation to support AI and big data industries.

iFlytek and CloudWalk Technology Co signed strategic agreements with Nansha to set up institutes to promote the AI sector, with 10 companies including Hangzhou-based Tongdun Co and six expert-led teams showing their intent to settle down in Nansha.

Some 10 companies and six expert-led teams sign agreements with Nansha district to boost the development of the AI sector in Guangzhou during the 2017 Guangzhou Roundtable on Artificial Intelligence (AI) on May 27. [Photo/southcn.com]