According to a master plan published by the State Council, China will strive to build an AI-based industry worth 148 billion USD by 2030, highlighting China’s determination to achieve breakthroughs in core AI technologies and accelerate its application in the manufacturing, service, agriculture and other sectors. Zhang Yaqin, president of Baidu, said China is highly likely to outpace the United States in the application of AI, as local companies scramble to experiment with new ideas and benefit from the country’s huge user base. The company plans to mass-produce its driverless vehicles within four years.

CAS news release, July 21, 2017