JD.com partners with Lingang Group on AI innovation

JD.com said it is setting up its Shanghai AI Innovation Center by partnering with Lingang Group to expedite the development of artificial intelligence in a number of areas. 

The China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone has expanded to include the Lingang new area earlier this month. 

The Lingang new area will also fully support the research and development of intelligent connected vehicles, seeking to bring together artificial intelligence and Internet of Things.

JD's AI group will work with Lingang Group to set up a demonstration zone for smart industries and will also seek to boost services for local enterprise and a one-stop service system for startups in the AI industry to grow together with late-comers. 

JD will put its best practices and innovation capability in AI in the city and also bring its experience to transform research into practice in Shanghai. 

During the World Artificial Intelligence Conference, it also entered into a partnership with Philips' home appliances unit to help analyze consumers' preferences and shopping habits to help it better understand buyer sentiment.   

Zhou Bowen, vice president of JD and president of JD's AI business unit, spoke highly of Shanghai's efforts of bringing AI technology and service providers together as the WAIC is a platform for the demand and supply sides to better connect with each other. 

"We chose to partner with Lingang because of its geographical location and its ability to act as a role model for other players in the Yangtze River Delta Region," he said. 

Apart from carrying out research work at its AI Research Center, it's also seeking to explore innovative business models to integrate AI with various industry scenarios.