New plan to harness AI talent

China plans to nurture at least 5,500 talents in artificial intelligence from top universities to gain a lead in the apex technology as the country aspires to be a top contender in the sector.

Under the plan, China will nurture more than 5,000 students and 500 teachers in AI from top universities within five years and aims to build the world's largest AI talent training program.

The move came after China's top authorities called for accelerated efforts to strengthen AI research as well as to train a new generation of talents during this year's two sessions. A Goldman Sachs report also pointed out that talent is one of the key drivers of value creation in China's AI development.