World's eyes turn to Zhangjiang AI competition

Zhangjiang, the city's center of artificial intelligence, is holding an AI competition for startups and linking them to bigger industrial players.

The Zhangjiang International AI Competition has attracted more than 500 applicants. In the next three months, they will receive training, have access to new resources and be able to demonstrate their pioneering projects in topics including driverless vehicles, AI chips and smart logistics.

The final will be held in January next year in Shanghai with the winner receiving 5 million yuan (US$706,000) and likely to obtain big contracts, according to International Zhangjiang, an incubation base that targets overseas multinationals.

Wu Jiaxiang, chairman of International Zhangjiang, said multinational companies hold the best technology and development skills while startups know what the local market really needs and can come up with practical projects.

More than 20 multinationals, including ABB, BASF and IBM, over 100 listed companies and 1,000 some well-established local entrepreneurs will offer support.