Guangdong beefs up AI and robot industry with strong policy support

On the morning of April 1st, the Guangdong Provincial Information Office held a press conference on the Several Policy Measures for Promoting Innovative Development of Artificial Intelligence and Robot Industry in Guangdong Province ("Measures"). The conference outlined Guangdong's advantages and objectives in these two key fields, while also introducing a series of supportive policies to foster industrial innovation.

A humanoid robot named "Walker S1" undergoes handling training on BYD's automobile production line.(Photo by UBTECH Robotics)

A closer look at this press conference reveals three key take aways.

A robot exhibited at the expo (Photo by Yangcheng Evening News reporter Lin Guiyan)

First, Guangdong is resolute in developing AI and robot industry.

As typical emerging and future industries, the AI and robot industry are at the heart of Guangdong's industrial strategy. On the first working day after the Chinese New Year, the province convened a High-quality Development Conference, explicitly setting out its mission: with strengths in both electro-mechanical and digital intelligence technologies, Guangdong must make a determined push in the AI and robot industry to establish high-tech, high-growth, and large-scale industrial pillars. Now, on the very first day of the second quarter, the province has followed up with a press conference to unveil its blueprint for execution, reaffirming its unwavering commitment to building Guangdong into a global powerhouse in these two fields.

Second, Guangdong boasts significant advantages in the AI and robot industry.

The conference revealed that Guangdong has the most comprehensive AI and robot industry chain in China, with a complete ecosystem and diverse application scenarios. In 2024, the province's core AI industry is projected to exceed 220 billion yuan, firmly positioning it among the national leaders. The Peng Cheng Laboratory has built China's first fully autonomous and controllable E-level (100 billion operations per second) intelligent computing platform, while the Guangming Laboratory has established China's first Ascend Ecosystem Research Institute. Moreover, Guangdong is home to over 1,500 core enterprises dedicated tothe AI industry, with the highest number of national-level specialized and sophisticated "little giant" enterprises that produce new and unique products in this sector. The province also leads in industrial robotics, producing 246,800 units in 2024, securing its position as the national leader for five consecutive years.

Third, Guangdong continues to roll out favorable policies for the AI and robot industry.

The Measures introduce 12 pragmatic and impactful policy initiatives.For instance, in tackling key core technologies, the Measures states that for major national AI and robotics projects, the provincial government will provide rewards according to regulations. Additionally, Guangdong will support the establishment of national and provincial AI and robotics manufacturing innovation centers, with financial incentives of up to 50 million yuan and 10 million yuan, respectively.

Guangdong had a stellar first quarter. The province's GDP surpassed 14 trillion yuan, and the new energy sector became its ninth trillion-yuan industry cluster. The "Millions of Talents Gather in Guangdong" initiative gained strong momentum, while ''five key measures'' were introduced to boost the digital creative industry. On the first day of the second quarter, Guangdong unveiled concrete policies to advance the AI and robot industry. With continuous industrial innovation, the province is shaping a dynamic and prosperous future.

Source:Lingnan on the Cloud

羊晚政见｜广东在人工智能与机器人这两大领域放出了“大招”

4月1日上午，广东省新闻办举行《广东省推动人工智能与机器人产业创新发展若干政策措施》（以下简称《若干措施》）新闻发布会，明晰了广东在这两大领域的发展优势和发展目标，发布了系列支持产业创新发展的政策措施。

观察这场新闻发布会，至少在三方面信息量丰富。

其一，广东发展人工智能与机器人产业的决心坚定。

人工智能与机器人产业属于典型的新兴产业、未来产业，广东在今年春节后开工第一天召开全省高质量发展大会，明确了“广东兼具机电技术和数智技术两大优势，要在人工智能和机器人两大领域下大决心、集中发力，构筑高技术、高成长、大体量的产业新支柱”的“任务书”，第二季度第一天就召开新闻发布会拿出“施工图”并明确要“加快打造全球人工智能与机器人产业高地”，足见广东发展人工智能与机器人产业的决心不改、坚定不移。

其二，广东发展人工智能与机器人产业的优势明显。

这场新闻发布会披露，广东是国内人工智能与机器人产业链最齐全、生态最完备、应用场景最丰富的聚集区。2024年，广东人工智能核心产业规模超过2200亿元，稳居全国第一方阵，鹏城实验室建成全国首个全面自主可控的E级（百亿亿次）智能算力平台，光明实验室建成全国首个昇腾生态研究院；全省人工智能核心企业超过1500家，人工智能领域国家专精特新“小巨人”企业数量全国第一。2024年广东省工业机器人产量达24.68万台（套），连续5年稳居全国第一。

其三，广东发展人工智能与机器人产业的利好不断。

《若干措施》提出了12条“干货”政策措施。例如，在“攻破一批关键核心技术”方面，《若干措施》提出，对国家科技重大专项的人工智能与机器人领域重点项目，省财政按规定给予配套奖励；支持创建国家级、省级人工智能与机器人领域制造业创新中心，省财政按规定分别给予最高5000万元、1000万元的资金支持。

从今年一季度的喜事连连——2024年全省地区生产总值迈上14万亿元新台阶、新能源产业成为广东第9个万亿元级产业集群、“百万英才汇南粤”已成浩荡之势、公布广东发展数字创意产业的“五项举措”，到今年二季度第一天拿出发展人工智能与机器人产业的“干货”政策，气象万千的广东正在创造产业发展的万千气象。

文 | 记者 董柳

翻译 | 杨钧雅

英文审校 | 林佳岱