ChinAI Newsletter
Jeffrey Ding
Narrations of the ChinAI Newsletter by Jeffrey Ding.
China is becoming an indispensable part of the global AI landscape. Alongside the rise of China’s AI capabilities, a surge of Chinese writing and scholarship on AI-related topics is shedding light on a range of fascinating topics, including: China’s grand strategy for advanced technology like AI, the characteristics of key Chinese AI actors (e.g. companies and individual thinkers), and the ethical implications of AI development.
While traditional media and China specialists can provide important insights on these questions through on-the-ground reporting and extensive background knowledge, ChinAI takes a different approach: it bets on the proposition that for many of these issues, the people with the most knowledge and insight are Chinese people themselves who are sharing their insights in Chinese. Through translating articles and documents from government departments, think tanks, traditional media, and newer forms of “self-media,” etc., ChinAI provides a unique look into the intersection between a country that is changing the world and a technology that is doing the same.
China is becoming an indispensable part of the global AI landscape. Alongside the rise of China’s AI capabilities, a surge of Chinese writing and scholarship on AI-related topics is shedding light on a range of fascinating topics, including: China’s grand strategy for advanced technology like AI, the characteristics of key Chinese AI actors (e.g. companies and individual thinkers), and the ethical implications of AI development.
While traditional media and China specialists can provide important insights on these questions through on-the-ground reporting and extensive background knowledge, ChinAI takes a different approach: it bets on the proposition that for many of these issues, the people with the most knowledge and insight are Chinese people themselves who are sharing their insights in Chinese. Through translating articles and documents from government departments, think tanks, traditional media, and newer forms of “self-media,” etc., ChinAI provides a unique look into the intersection between a country that is changing the world and a technology that is doing the same.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 16, 2023 • 8min
“ChinAI #239: Tiancheng Lou — China’s No. 1 Programmer” by Jeffrey Ding
Tiancheng Lou, co-founder of Pony.ai and renowned global programmer, shares his journey in autonomous vehicle tech. Highlights include his technical achievements, team insights, and cultural differences in AI development. The podcast also discusses economic warfare in AI, data quality importance, and China's proposed AI blacklist.
Oct 2, 2023 • 9min
“ChinAI #239: Around the Horn (12th edition)” by Jeffrey Ding
The podcast discusses the misuse of AI face swapping technology, legislative solutions, and profiles China's No. 1 programmer. It also covers UAE's support for Chinese companies, trends in China's data market, bribery accusations against an AI executive, Tencent's Explorer Prize, and challenges in China's machine vision industry. Furthermore, it explores the growing application of large-scale models in China's finance industry and tells a fascinating story of a 30-year-old investor in the nightlife industry.
Sep 25, 2023 • 9min
“ChinAI #238: Can China independently develop advanced lithography machines?” by Jeffrey Ding
Guest, a popular science writer, dispels rumors about China's breakthrough in lithography technology. They discuss the complexities and challenges of developing advanced lithography machines, emphasizing the need for global collaboration. The podcast also explores recent technological advancements in artificial intelligence, specifically in Iowa, involving advanced AI and supercomputers.
Sep 18, 2023 • 8min
“ChinAI #237: Safety Benchmarks for Chinese Large Models” by Jeffrey Ding
Jeffrey Ding discusses the release of the SuperCLUE-Safety benchmark for Chinese large models, addressing the urgency of safe large models and China's AI landscape. The podcast explores safety rankings, AI safety benchmarks in China, industry exploitation, and reactions to Falcon 180B launch.
Sep 13, 2023 • 21min
[Translation] Midfield contest between large models: who can get companies to use large models first
Jeffrey Ding, expert in Chinese AI developments, discusses the competition among companies to deploy large AI models, transitioning from trials to public service. Topics include challenges of utilizing large models, Baidu AI Cloud's innovative solutions, and the strategic positioning of companies in the era of large models.
Sep 11, 2023 • 7min
“ChinAI #236: The LLM Implementation Gap” by Jeffrey Ding
Exploring the challenges Chinese businesses face in implementing large language models, Baidu's Chanfan platform offers solutions. Insights on China's tech landscape include a reality TV show for programmers and job opportunities in international security.
Aug 29, 2023 • 7min
“ChinAI #235: GPT Medicine Beyond Imagination” by Jeffrey Ding
Exploring the use of GPT models in Chinese medicine, with insights on AI doctors in trials and chat-based medical apps. Discussing AI governance and proposed laws in China, as well as challenges in drafting PIPL and AI laws. Highlighting cutting-edge AI research projects supported by National Natural Science Foundation.
Aug 21, 2023 • 8min
“ChinAI #234: The (Privacy) Cost of Being Fabulous?” by Jeffrey Ding
The podcast discusses China's viral AI portrait app Miaoya Xianji and the privacy concerns surrounding users uploading facial data. It also explores espionage tactics, facial recognition regulations, R&D statistics, and military AI purchases in China and the US.
Aug 14, 2023 • 11min
“ChinAI #233: A public comment on the U.S.’s investment curbs in Chinese AI firms” by Jeffrey Ding
Subtitle: Plus, Wudaokou Origins of China’s Large Models (Part 2). Greetings from a world where…Does school really start in a week?…As always, the searchable archive of all past issues is here. Please please subscribe here to support ChinAI under a Guardian/Wikipedia-style tipping model (everyone gets the same content but those who can pay support access for all AND compensation for awesome ChinAI contributors).Reflections on U.S.'s investment curbs in Chinese AI firmsRegarding last week’s executive order that restricts new U.S. investment in subsets of the semiconductor, quantum, and AI fields, I will repeat what I wrote last fall during debates about the U.S.’s export ban on high-end chips to China: When it comes to U.S.-China technology competition, the benefits of the “promote” plank will always outweigh the “protect” plank. And, when we reflect on moves like this one thirty years from now, there’s a decent chance that such “protect” actions were [...] ---
First published:
August 14th, 2023
Source:
https://chinai.substack.com/p/chinai-233-wudaokou-origins-of-chinas
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Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.
Aug 7, 2023 • 8min
“ChinAI #232: The Wudaokou Origins of China’s Large Models” by Jeffrey Ding
Exploring the history of large language models in China, starting from the influential Wudaokou area. Discussing the impact of Bert and Ernie models on Chinese AI research and the evolution of BI in Wudaokou. Highlighting BAAI's support and collaborations, emphasizing the synergy between academia and industry.
