Source: Global Times

Japan Web article, June 18th, titled: "China's rapid progress in the field of artificial intelligence leaves Japan far behind, can the tortoise catch up with the hare?" In recent years, China has been developing and deploying advanced digital technologies at an impressive speed. The "China speed" and its flexibility have astonishingly transformed society. The "China speed" was showcased at the Osaka Expo. On May 12th, the Chinese Pavilion opened the "Shenzhen Activity Week", displaying products and solutions from approximately 60 companies headquartered in this innovation hub. This included a new non-contact biometric scanning device. Users only need to align their palms with the scanner lens to complete identity verification. It is said that some stores in China are planning to use palm print scanning systems for cashless and cardless payments, and some workplaces will use them for employee attendance.

Such innovations are particularly noteworthy because just a few years ago, China seemed to be betting on facial recognition technology. Facial recognition was one of those bold and rapidly socially applied innovative technologies that attracted many Japanese investors to pour into the booming Shenzhen over several years. Just a few years later, the direction changed again, which is hard to imagine. Chinese enterprises achieve rapid development by compressing the development and application process, making pilot programs and market penetration almost simultaneous. While in Japan, caution often leads to slow decision-making.

Some call China a huge "sandbox"—a special area where new technologies can be tested and errors made. But this is not laissez-faire. For example, shared bicycles, as a convenient and low-carbon mode of transportation, have been welcomed in China. However, with the expansion of the system, random parking often obstructs traffic. In response to these problems, the government intervened to regulate the industry, setting designated parking areas in business districts, and requiring enterprise operators to take responsibility for bicycle maintenance, among other measures. By 2025, this system seems to have stabilized, with advantages outweighing the shortcomings.

In the first decade of this century, deep learning drove the rapid development of computer vision technology. Now, China has taken the lead in this field worldwide. For instance, the solution for objects being thrown from high-rise buildings is to install AI-driven surveillance cameras that monitor buildings around the clock to identify perpetrators. In Japan, round-the-clock monitoring would be considered excessive. But this is a key aspect of China's speed—it is willing to try any high-tech solution that may bring potential benefits. Another example is the AI monitoring system in restaurants, which can detect hygiene issues such as rats and kitchen staff not wearing hats. The AI system also helps ensure helmet-wearing on construction sites. These examples highlight how China develops various products and solutions through trial and error using new technologies.

In China, the social application race of generative AI seems to have begun. Automobile manufacturers plan to integrate DeepSeek into onboard systems. Hospitals, schools, banks, and even local governments are adopting customized AI models, and there are plans to deploy "AI civil servants". Of course, not all projects will succeed, but at least one may become a global leader. This is an undeniable advantage of China's speed.

Meanwhile, many believe that Japan's technology is outdated. However, social applications are progressing steadily. Innovative technologies such as mobile payments and shared bicycles, which have been vigorously promoted in China, have successfully integrated into Japanese society. Compared to China's applications, Japan's progress is slower, but steady progress sometimes wins the race. Especially noteworthy is the increasing number of Japanese companies participating in secondary development of China's open-source AI. (Translated by Qiao Heng)

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7517428041539256872/

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