AI Photo: VCG

In the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence (AI), South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region has taken a noteworthy step by launching the AI "super league," which is set to run until November, as reported by the Xinhua News Agency on Sunday. Particularly intriguing is the introduction of a mechanism that allows for cross-border teams, a move expected to enhance China's international collaboration in AI, especially with ASEAN countries.

The AI "super league" reportedly encompasses three events: an innovation competition focused on the application of AI in real-world industrial scenarios, a contest designed to tackle critical bottlenecks, and an event dedicated to discovering latent AI talent within the general populace. According to news site people.cn, this competition welcomes a broad spectrum of participants from China and the ASEAN region, including top industry firms, emerging start-ups, research entities, and individual developers. According to the report, the competition encourages joint teams from China and ASEAN economies, fostering a diverse participation pattern that spans regions and industries.

This open-minded approach is expected to facilitate the deep integration of AI technology with the real economy and enhance AI industry collaboration between China and ASEAN economies.

In recent years, AI has steadily become a part of various industries, including vehicles, cultural tourism, cross-border e-commerce, healthcare, and agriculture. In China, AI technology has reached a practical stage. A report on the development of generative AI, released last year by the China Internet Network Information Center, indicates that China has built a relatively comprehensive AI industry ecosystem, with more than 4,500 related companies. 

As for ASEAN, the demand for AI applications varies due to differences in economic structures and the development of AI technology among member countries. Against this backdrop, Guangxi's AI "super league," which encourages participants from China and ASEAN to join and form teams, serves not only as a platform to advance the AI industry but also as a venue for fostering communication within the field. For an emerging industry like AI, such international exchanges and interactions are important.

Behind the AI "super league," Guangxi is working to accelerate the development of its AI industry and establish a bridge that connects China's vast regions with the ASEAN economies. On the one hand, Guangxi has repeatedly reached out to the forefront of China's AI and industrial development areas, such as Beijing, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, to attract science and technology enterprises to invest in the region. On the other hand, Guangxi maintains close economic and trade ties with ASEAN economies. According to Xinhua, Guangxi positions AI as an important aspect of its cooperation with ASEAN, leveraging its unique local advantages to continuously explore differentiated AI application scenarios.

Earlier this year, Guangxi introduced an action plan to accelerate the development of the AI plus manufacturing industry. According to the People's Daily, the plan sets goals for 2027, supporting the creation of the China-ASEAN AI Innovation Cooperation Center, establishing three to five AI industrial parks and advanced manufacturing clusters, and striving to boost the AI-related industry's output value to more than 100 billion yuan ($13.9 billion).

Guangxi and ASEAN each offer distinct advantages in fostering AI innovation and collaboration. ASEAN, with its substantial population and diverse application scenarios, presents significant potential for AI implementation. By working with China, ASEAN economies can align with Chinese industry players, promoting the development of the AI plus industry in the region. AI promises substantial advancements across various sectors, particularly in business, manufacturing, and cross-border e-commerce.

The newly launched AI "super league," along with other efforts, is expected to further invigorate AI plus industry collaboration between China and ASEAN. By exploring industry potential through various means, it aims to foster win-win cooperation.

The author is a reporter with the Global Times. bizopinion@globaltimes.com.cn