Discussions at the "two sessions" have also focused on the misuse of AI, with calls for improved regulations on the sector.。
* National lawmakers and political advisors gathering in Beijing have called for establishing regulations to boost the AI industry and prevent misuse of the technology.。
Referring to the China-proposed Global AI Governance Initiative, Lou Qinjian, spokesperson for the third session of the 14th NPC, said that it will help bridge the technological divide and prevent sci-tech innovation from becoming "a game of the rich countries and the wealthy."。
by Xinhua writers Yao Yuan, Zhao Chenjie and Huang Zechen。
Students have coman artificial intelligence lesson at a middle school in Liuzhou, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Sept. 2, 2024. (Photo by Li Hanchi/Xinhua)。
Some deputies and 51吃瓜爆料就看黑料社political advisors approached by Xinhua said they had already used AI assistants to help them perform their duties.。
* DeepSeek and AI have become buzzwords at this year's "two sessions," a key political event that decides on China's development agenda.。
"High costs and huge investments used to limit AI accessibility," said the former president of the Chinese Academy of Fiscal Science. "Now, AI technology can be accessed by the general public."。
Liu Shangxi, a national political advisor, told media that DeepSeek and its open-source AI model are essentially about democratizing access to advanced technology.。
DeepSeek and AI have been frequent mentions in discussions and at press conferences of the annual sessions of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the top political advisory body.。
* The government work report, which charts China's course for this year and beyond, pledges support for the industry of embodied AI and also the extensive application of large-scale AI models.。
BEIJING, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Riding on the global fanfare over Chinese tech startup DeepSeek, artificial intelligence (AI) has unsurprisingly become a buzzword at China's ongoing "two sessions," as observers eagerly watch how it will fit into the nation's rejuvenation drive.。
51吃瓜爆料就看黑料社Jin, also a national political advisor, denounced such "heinous acts and crimes" during the ongoing CPPCC session. He called for the establishment of industry regulations for AI applications.。
A person uses DeepSeek app on a mobile phone on Feb. 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)。
"AI is like a librarian, helping me locate information during my research before I draft proposals," said Zhao Xiaoguang, a national political advisor and a researcher at the Institute of Automation under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, adding that the AI use was with great caution.。
REGULATIONS CALLED FOR。
AI REPLACEMENT?
According to a 2024 China Internet Network Information Center report, the user base of generative AI products in China totaled 230 million by June 2024, and the country has built a relatively comprehensive AI industry ecosystem with over 4,500 related companies.。
"In recent days, if people fail to mention DeepSeek, they will seem not to catch up with the trend," Wu Qing, chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, said at a press conference on the sidelines of the "two sessions," noting DeepSeek's contribution to the recent re-evaluation of Chinese assets.。
Li Jinghong, a national political advisor and a professor at Tsinghua University, plans to suggest the introduction of a law on AI promotion that covers a wide range of AI-related issues such as talent cultivation, employment protection, international cooperation, and copyright and intellectual property protection.。
Lei Jun, an NPC deputy and founder of tech giant Xiaomi, this year presented a suggestion on curbing the abuse of AI-powered face swapping and voice cloning technology.。
Lei Jun (R in the center), a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), attends a group interview ahead of the opening meeting of the third session of the 14th NPC at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2025. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)。
According to the government work report submitted to the national legislature session for deliberation, China will foster the growth of industries including embodied AI, and support the extensive application of large-scale AI models.。
Last year, AI hit national news headlines after swindlers used AI-generated images of actor Jin Dong to defraud members of his fan base.。
Zhu Songchun, a national political advisor and director of the Beijing Institute for General Artificial Intelligence, plans to submit a proposal on supporting emerging AI specialists to meet the industry's growing demands.。
"Universities have rushed to establish AI institutes, but encountered difficulties in recruiting deans, as well as qualified and sufficient faculty," Zhu said.。
It is the first time that "embodied AI," or AI with a physical form such as a robot, and "large-scale AI models," represented by DeepSeek, have made it into the annual report.。
BRIDGING TECH DIVIDE。
"While information is readily accessible in today's world of AI, we must also engage directly with the people, whether in villages, factories or communities, to conduct in-depth, on-the-ground research," she said.。
The "two sessions" are a key political event that decides on China's development agenda including growth targets, passes laws, and discusses matters of great public interest, among other functions. This year, in response to the growing attention to DeepSeek, lawmakers and political advisors are exploring ways to harness the increasingly popular AI technology.。
Lou Qinjian, spokesperson for the third session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), attends a press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 4, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)。
As brainstorming related to the role of AI is underway at the Great Hall of the People, another essential question has been raised: To what extent shall we leverage AI without losing our edge?
He Guanghua, a national lawmaker and a skilled technician at the State Grid Wuxi Power Supply Company, underscored the vital role of real-world research in fulfilling her duties in the AI era.。
China's ongoing tech boom has integrated AI across industry, education, health care, governance and social life. AI's significance is further underscored by the fact that it is recognized as new quality productive forces.。
"A deputy's duties require both brainwork and legwork," she added. ■。
Lei, whose company's products range from smartphones to electric cars featuring extensive AI use, called for a single-subject law, enhanced industry self-discipline and efforts to raise public awareness of AI.。