AI alliance launched in Hongqiao to serve local hi-tech startups and residential communities

Shanghai's first artificial intelligence and Internet plus service alliance was launched in Hongqiao on Thursday to serve both local high-tech startups and residential communities.

The alliance aims to cluster resources of AI, Internet firms and research institutes in the Hongqiao area to help incubate scientific research into products and services for residents, the Changning District government said at the 2018 global AI and business summit.

The alliance will help apply Internet, Big Data and AI technologies to community management to improve living standards, said Chen Ying, Party secretary of Huayang sub-district of Changning, where many Internet and high-tech companies are based.

Deep Blue Technology, a Changning-based high-tech startup, will use robots in a trial operation to deliver parcels and takeout food in university campuses instead of the traditional way.

An intelligent shopping mall and wet market as well as unmanned mobile stores will be developed based on AI technology, according to the sub-district.

Internet firms such as Ctrip, Meituan, Fresh Hema, Spring Travel and Suning are members of the alliance together with AI companies such as Westwell, Wisdom Info and Deep Blue that are concentrated near Zhongshan Park, the Changning government said.

Major research institutes including Innovation Cooperation Center (Bangkok) and Shanghai Institute of Ceramics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences have also joined the alliance.

Meanwhile, an AI competition, or 2018 AI-Win, held by the local government also started this week. The event seeks global AI talent to compete in robotics, machine-human interface, smart driving and medical innovation. The final will take place in August, with an award ceremony to be held in September.

Shanghai’s AI industry output totaled 70 billion yuan (US$11.1 billion), according to the Shanghai Commission of Economy and Information Technology.