AI expected to accelerate self-driving tech

Lawmakers, advisers call for improved regulations for autonomous vehicles

The fast-evolving artificial intelligence technology is expected to spearhead an industrial revolution and expedite the development of China's autonomous and intelligent connected vehicles, as AI is emerging as a critical strategic opportunity for the automotive industry, said national lawmakers, political advisers and experts.

As China is accelerating steps to advance the mass production and commercialization of self-driving vehicles, more efforts should be made to improve the regulations and standards for autonomous driving, speed up the construction of intelligent transportation infrastructure, and expand the testing and application for autonomous vehicles in a wider range of scenarios, they added.

Their comments follow this year's Government Work Report which stated that under the AI Plus initiative, China will support the extensive application of large-scale AI models and vigorously develop new-generation intelligent terminals and smart manufacturing equipment, including intelligent connected new energy vehicles.