Hangzhou holds a conference on how to transform itself into a National Innovative Development Pilot Area for New-Generation Artificial Intelligence (AI) at a conference on Nov 28. [Photo/zj.zjol.com.cn]

Hangzhou released guidelines on how to transform itself into a National Innovative Development Pilot Area for New-Generation Artificial Intelligence (AI) at a conference on Nov 28.

The conference brought together top officials from Hangzhou and representatives of universities, institutes and technical firms.

The conference came after the Ministry of Science and Technology granted Hangzhou approval to develop itself into a national pilot area for AI on Oct17. Hangzhou, along with Shenzhen, Hefei and Tianjin, is among the third wave of cities, following Beijing and Shanghai, to be granted the opportunity.

According to the guidelines, Hangzhou aims to take the lead among Chinese cities in terms of overall AI technical strength and industrial development by 2023. 

Eight specific measures were laid out to help build Hangzhou into a National Innovative Development Pilot Area for New-Generation Artificial Intelligence (AI), including increased efforts in basic theoretical research, training of skilled workers, technological research and innovative industrial development. 

The guidelines say that the government should encourage and support universities and institutes such as Zhejiang University, Westlake University and Zhejiang Lab in building world-class scientific innovation centers and training bases for brain sciences and AI. 

The guidelines also highlight the application of AI in areas such as medical health, education, finance, transportation, commerce, environmental preservation, agriculture and jurisdiction.

Pan Honghua, deputy director of the Hangzhou bureau of science and technology, said that AI will be a vital component of the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games.

The guidelines require that the city make efforts to cultivate top AI professionals. Research teams recognized as provincial or municipal leading innovation and entrepreneurship teams can receive a cash award of up to 10 million yuan ($1.42 million).