Greetings from a world where…

Blokus is a brilliant game

…As always, the searchable archive of all past issues is here. Please please subscribe here to support ChinAI under a Guardian/Wikipedia-style tipping model (everyone gets the same content but those who can pay support access for all AND compensation for awesome ChinAI contributors).

Around the Horn (9th edition)

What better way to start the new year than with an Around the Horn issue of ChinAI. Here’s how it works:

I give short previews of ten articles related to ChinAI (all published within the past week). For an example, see ChinAI #198.
Readers choose next week’s feature translation by replying to the email and/or commenting on the post with their favorite article number. *I give a little added weight to votes by subscribers who financially support ChinAI through paid subscriptions.
The titles of the 10 articles below link to the original source in Chinese.

1) The Power of Seeds

Summary: A look at Huawei’s key role in building AI computing infrastructure, based on the author’s recent visit to the Nanjing Artificial Intelligence Computing Center. A granular look at how Chinese technology companies are working with the Chinese government to build “new infrastructure.”

Source: 机器之能 (jiqizhineng/Synced) — the go-to source for longform articles about China’s AI landscape.

2) The Strength and Dreams of China’s Open Source Pioneers

Summary: Uses Wensong Zhang’s development of the Linux Virtual Server project as an entry point into the history of open-source software in China.

Source: 雷峰网 (Leiphone) — media portal that covers China’s science and tech landscape, with a focus on AI-related happenings.

3) CAICT Big Data White Paper

Summary: The China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT) recently released a white paper that reviews China’s big data policies, as well as recent trends in data standardization and security.

Source: 中国信通院 (CAICT) — a think tank under China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

4) The Top Ten Events of Internet Governance in China in 2022

Summary: A review of the past year in Internet Governance in China, structured around ten key events, with comments from experts on each event.

Source: 财经E法 (Caijing ELaw) —portal focused on internet governance under the umbrella of Caijing Magazine, a respected business platform.

5) Chatting on the Internet for a Month, the Romance Scammer (“Pig-Butchering Scammer”) is Actually Defeated by AI

Summary: A “pig-butchering scammer” (someone who implements a long-term scam, often by making someone think they have found the perfect boyfriend or girlfriend) was recently tricked by an AI chatbot built using Inspur’s Yuan 1.0 (a GPT-3-esque model). Video of the screenshots and whole story blew up on the Bilibili site, racking up nearly two million views.

Source: 新智元 (xinzhiyuan) — media portal similar to Leiphone, tend to feature more human-interest stories

6) If You Don’t Buy It, I Won’t Buy It. Graphics Card Shipments Hit a New Low in 20 Years

Summary: Shipments of GPUs (often used to train AI models) have hit a 20-year low. What gives? This piece looks at worrying trends for Nvidia and the performance of Chinese GPU makers.

Source: 量子位 (QbitAI) — news portal that regularly covers AI issues, similar to Leiphone and xinzhiyuan. Lately, QbitAI has been publishing longer reports more frequently.

7) Did Tencent and Sequoia China Go on a Frenzy Overseas in 2022?

Summary: An inventory-taking of Chinese capital investments overseas. Here, “Chinese capital” includes both companies headquartered in China (Tencent) and multinational investment institutions with independent brands in China (Sequoia China).

Source: IT桔子 (IT Juzi) — good source on financing and venture capital in technology fields.

8) The Digital Transformation of Small and Medium-sized Manufacturing Enterprises

Summary: Provides an overview of digitalization in Chinese SMEs, as well as gives insights into Tencent’s policy recommendations on this topic.

Source: 腾讯研究院 (Tencent Research Institute) — Tencent’s policy and governance research arm.

9) Welcome to the “World Cup” of Personal Data Security

Summary: A very technical examination of how Chinese companies are trying to ensure the security of personal data, with key details about Baidu’s efforts.

Source: 脑极体 (naojiti) — a tech media platform based in Tianjin.

10) China’s High-Speed Rail Calling Card Forged by Indigenous Innovation

Summary: This piece addresses two main questions: what exactly is so indigenous/independent about China’s high speed rail? Second, what is so innovative?

Source: 瞭望 (Outlook Magazine) — a state-run publication written for Communist Party bureaucrats and policy makers. Previously translated an investigative report by Outlook on wasted chip investments (ChinAI #118).

Thank you for reading and engaging.

These are Jeff Ding's (sometimes) weekly translations of Chinese-language musings on AI and related topics. Jeff is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at George Washington University.

Check out the archive of all past issues here & please subscribe here to support ChinAI under a Guardian/Wikipedia-style tipping model (everyone gets the same content but those who can pay for a subscription will support access for all).

Any suggestions or feedback? Let me know at chinainewsletter@gmail.com or on Twitter at @jjding99

ChinAI Newsletter

ChinAI #208: Around the Horn (edition 9)