(Disability Awareness Newspaper = Choi Bong-hyeok Columnist) [Disability Awareness Column]
"The Future of Disabled People Brought by the AI Revolution - China's 10 Trillion Yuan Investment, What Changes Will It Bring?"
It has been reported that China plans to invest over 10 trillion yuan (approximately 1,900 trillion won) in the development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology over the next six years. This can be seen as part of the Chinese government's AI priority policy and strengthening of support in response to the US-China technology competition.
China's Massive Investment in the AI Industry
Chen Liang, chairman of China International Capital Corporation (CICC), China's state-owned investment institution, said in an interview with the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on the 9th (local time), "China's AI industry will be able to attract over 10 trillion yuan in investment over the next six years." This statement was made at the International China Investment Forum, hosted by the Xiamen Municipal Government of Fujian Province, China, and co-sponsored by CICC. Chairman Chen Liang emphasized that "China's AI market still has great growth potential and investment potential."
At this forum, it was predicted that the demand for China's AI market will reach 5.6 trillion yuan (approximately 1,000 trillion won) by 2030. This figure indicates that the AI industry will not simply remain a technological advancement but will foreshadow a deepened fusion and expansion across industries. Like the United States, China is experiencing an AI boom, and much investment is being concentrated in the development of generative AI models and large language models (LLMs) in particular.
Fusion of AI Technology into Traditional Industries
AI technology is rapidly being integrated into traditional industries with the goal of improving productivity, moving beyond the simple research and development stage. Medical care, legal services, entertainment, transportation, and logistics are prime examples. These traditional industries are enhancing the efficiency of existing business models and strengthening their competitiveness by applying AI technology.
According to Qichacha, China's corporate data platform, more than 237,000 AI-related companies were established in China in the first half of this year alone. This figure is evidence of the explosive growth of the AI industry, and there are currently 1.7 million registered companies related to AI.
Government's Determination to Foster AI Technology
The Chinese government continues to emphasize AI technology. In January of this year, Jin Zhuangrong, Minister of Industry and Information Technology, said in an interview with People's Daily, the organ of the Communist Party, that "AI is an innovative technology that will drive the next stage of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation." He emphasized that AI is becoming a key catalyst in various fields, including research, product development, and manufacturing, and through this, it is promoting the development of modern industries.
Synergy Effect of Robotics Industry and AI
Chairman Chen Liang emphasized the importance of the robotics industry in particular. He stated, "China has grown into the world's largest robot market, and industrial robots produced in China account for half of global sales each year." According to a report by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), 52% of global robot installations last year were made in China. This growth of the robotics industry is taking place in close interaction with the advancement of AI technology.
The advancement of AI technology is also injecting vitality into the robotics industry. At the World Robot Conference held last month, various types of robots were presented by large and small companies in China. Some of them were simply household vacuum cleaners, but AI-based industrial equipment used in industrial settings, such as sorting medicines in pharmacies or loading and unloading goods in factories, were also introduced. These robots utilize AI models to perform more precise and efficient tasks, showcasing a differentiation from traditional industrial equipment.
However, it is known that China's current robot technology still has a technological gap with the United States in recent global trends, such as humanoid robot development. In particular, while US companies are ahead in the development and commercialization of humanoid robots, it is being assessed that China needs to make efforts to catch up.
Future Prospects for AI Investment and Technological Competition
China's increased AI investment is expected to play a significant role in the technological hegemony competition between the United States and China. In particular, AI technology is considered a key factor in strengthening national security and economic competitiveness, and the Chinese government is defining it as a strategic industry that will drive the future economy. This will coincide with the US's movement to develop and expand AI technology, further accelerating the competition for leadership in the global AI market.
With the large-scale inflow of capital into China's AI industry over the next six years, China is expected to strengthen its global competitiveness in various industrial sectors, including AI technology, robotics, medical care, logistics, and manufacturing. In this process, China's AI companies are likely to lead global technology trends, which will have a significant impact on the global economy.
China's AI industry is rapidly growing, fueled by strong government support and large-scale investment from private companies. The AI field, which is expected to receive over 10 trillion yuan in investment over the next six years, will deepen its integration with traditional industries such as medical care, logistics, and manufacturing, further expanding its influence.
AI Investment and Future Impact on Disabled People
China's increased investment in artificial intelligence (AI) technology heralds major changes across society, and is expected to have a positive impact on technological advancements, especially for people with disabilities. As AI technology merges with traditional industries such as medical care, logistics, manufacturing, and robotics, the quality of life for people with disabilities can be significantly improved.
The main expected effects are as follows
Improved Accessibility: AI-based technologies support people with disabilities to live more independently and autonomously through smart healthcare, assistive devices, and automated services. For example, accessibility solutions will be provided in various areas such as speech recognition software, AI assistants for the visually impaired, and self-driving cars to improve mobility.
Expanded Employment Opportunities: As AI-based vocational training and rehabilitation training become available, people with disabilities will have increased opportunities to enter a wider range of professions. Automated robots and remote work support technology can support this.
Bridging the Education Gap: The emergence of personalized education platforms utilizing AI technology will enable students with disabilities to receive individual learning paths, preventing them from being excluded from learning.
Social Integration: AI-based communication technologies will facilitate communication between people with and without disabilities, contributing to the formation of an inclusive and integrated society.
Choi Bong-hyeok Columnist
(ESG·RE100·DX· AI Convergence Expert, Workplace Disability Awareness Training Expert)
• CEO of Sports People Times
• CEO of Disability Awareness Newspaper
• Director of the Korea Press Information and Communication Technology Association
• Choi Bong-hyeok's Power Blog Making Serialized Publication 2020 ~ 2023
• Choi Bong-hyeok's Virtual Currency Peek Serialized Publication 2021 ~ 2023
• Korea Purchasing and Procurement Society (Director, Planning Committee Chairman)
• Vice Chairman of the Cultural and Arts Policy Committee of the Korea Arts & Culture Association
Books
• Americano Whispers in the Morning Mist - Coffee Essay
• Disability Awareness Column - ESG Management - Disability Inclusion Policy
• 2024 Bitcoin Outlook and Fact Check
• 2024 Bitcoin Outlook for the Second Half of the Year
• AI Prophecy - 2024 Best 13 AI Trend Outlook
• Essay on the Special Exhibition of Disabled Artists in Gyeongnam
• ESG Management Column
• Dongwoo Park, the Unsung Hero of US-Korea Civilian Diplomacy, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Disability Policy, Obama Administration
• The Cube of Flexibility - Lim Jeong-eun Author, Choi Bong-hyeok Essay
• ESG.RE100 Management Column
• Breaking Through the Darkness to Open the Dawn (Planned Publication)