Tencent, the Shenzhen-based creators of WeChat, has rapidly expanded its machine learning capabilities since launching its artificial intelligence (AI) lab in April. The company's move into AI reflects a shift in China's consumer technology industry away from manufacturing and towards research. Chinese companies such as Tencent are looking to become technology leaders rather than imitators, and to compete with the East's tech companies in terms of products underpinned by AI. Tencent already uses machine learning in its products, including personalised news recommendations, but investment in AI could help it improve existing products or develop innovative new ones.
Tencent, the Shenzhen-based creators of WeChat, has rapidly expanded its machine learning capabilities since launching its artificial intelligence (AI) lab in April. The company's move into AI reflects a shift in China's consumer technology industry away from manufacturing and towards research. Chinese companies such as Tencent are looking to become technology leaders rather than imitators, and to compete with the West's tech companies in terms of products underpinned by AI. Tencent already uses machine learning in its products, including personalised news recommendations, but investment in AI could help it improve existing products or develop innovative new ones.