22 h. ago China’s AI race heats up as SenseTime, ByteDance unveil model updates

China’s artificial intelligence (AI) market sees heightened competition, as various model providers – from SenseTime to ByteDance – step up efforts to enhance their services. Hong Kong-listed SenseTime has upgraded its Cantonese-speaking chatbot, Sensechat, with a comprehensive set of new features that include real-time audio and video-interaction capabilities, according to the company’s announcement on Thursday. Other enhancements include visual reasoning capabilities, which allow Sensechat to...

Culture

61 h. ago ‘Making a dent’: race is on to reap rare earths elsewhere amid China’s dominance

Beijing’s imposition of rare earth export restrictions from April – playing its trump card in the face of Washington’s intensifying tariffs and tech curbs – helped send a message to Washington ahead of this week’s discussions over bilateral export-control issues. Considered a trump card because rare earths have an outsized impact on auto, electronics and defence industries, and China dominates the supply chain, the trade in such critical minerals is widely expected to be among the key topics...

Politics

63 h. ago White House AI czar on race with China: ‘We’ve got to let the private sector cook’

White House AI czar on race with China: ‘We’ve got to let the private sector cook’  FedScoop

Society

5 d. ago The kids are alright: Hong Kong AI scientist offers a vision for ‘parenting’ AI

For years, the story of artificial intelligence (AI) has been cast as a high-stakes contest between the US and China – a technological arms race with global consequences. But to De Kai, a pioneering machine learning scientist and advocate for AI ethics, this framing fundamentally misunderstands the technology. “I would prefer to think about it as the AI climate change challenge,” De Kai said in an interview with the Post at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, where he is a...

Politics

5 d. ago Why this key chip technology is crucial to the AI race between the US and China

Why this key chip technology is crucial to the AI race between the US and China  CNN

Politics

7 d. ago China eyes 10 new national data zones in digital economy push, AI race with US

China will establish 10 national data pilot zones, its data agency announced, as the country seeks to bolster its digital economy and compete with the United States in the race to dominate artificial intelligence. The National Data Administration (NDA) said the zones would be established in Beijing, Zhejiang, Anhui and other regions. The initiative encourages select local governments to spearhead efforts “in nurturing data-related market entities and expanding the data market”, according to the...

Politics

8 d. ago US still king of critical tech, but China quickly closing gaps: report

The United States continued to lead China in critical technologies, namely artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, semiconductors, space and quantum, according to a report released on Thursday by Harvard University. The authors of the Critical and Emerging Technologies Index, released by the university’s Belfer Centre for Science and International Affairs, said the US maintained its competitive edge because of large-scale American public and private investment, a top-notch and diverse...

Science

8 d. ago China helps Russia pull ahead in lethal drone war race with Ukraine

China helps Russia pull ahead in lethal drone war race with Ukraine  politico.eu

Events

8 d. ago ‘We’re definitely on the back foot’: U.S. risks losing fusion energy race to China, industry leaders warn

‘We’re definitely on the back foot’: U.S. risks losing fusion energy race to China, industry leaders warn  GeekWire

Events

9 d. ago Automakers Race to Find Workaround to China’s Stranglehold on Rare

Automakers Race to Find Workaround to China’s Stranglehold on Rare-Earth Magnets  WSJ

Politics

1 week ago China is gaining ground in the global race to develop AI agents

China is gaining ground in the global race to develop AI agents  Rest of World

Politics

1 week ago China’s 2030 metrology action plan targets chip, quantum wins in race with US

China has released an action plan for “disruptive technological innovation” in metrology – the scientific study of measurement – within the next five years. The 2030 action plan, released by the State Administration for Market Regulation, focuses on breakthroughs in chip technology and quantum-scale measurement, both critical to a wide range of industries. According to a report by ministry newspaper Science and Technology Daily last week, the plan targets tackling several “pain points” or...

Events

2 w. ago China's DeepSeek releases an update to its R1 reasoning model

China's DeepSeek releases an update to its R1 reasoning model  Reuters

Politics

2 w. ago Southern China’s Zhuhai backs new firm in race to be AI, robotics hub

The municipal government of Zhuhai in southern Guangdong province has launched a new company as part of an ambitious programme to boost its artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics sectors, after the success of DeepSeek and Unitree Robotics sparked a national race to cultivate the next tech leaders. On Wednesday, the city announced its support for the newly established Zhuhai Technology Industry Group, focusing on AI and robotics. It also unveiled incentives for local businesses, including...

Politics

2 w. ago America’s quantum computing race against China demands urgent action

America’s quantum computing race against China demands urgent action  Washington Times

Politics

3 w. ago How Trump's 'Big Beautiful' Budget Bill Helps China Win the Clean Tech Race

How Trump's 'Big Beautiful' Budget Bill Helps China Win the Clean Tech Race  Newsweek

Politics

3 w. ago Hegseth reveals plans to counter China, stay ahead in arms race as Pentagon pivots to Indo

Hegseth reveals plans to counter China, stay ahead in arms race as Pentagon pivots to Indo-Pacific  Fox News

Politics

4 w. ago US Space Force’s ‘orbital carrier’ risks escalating arms race, China’s PLA warns

Citing potential for rapid launch of weaponisable satellites, Chinese military cautions US transport craft programme threatens space security.

Events

4 w. ago Tencent bets on 1.4 billion user WeChat empire to get ahead in China's AI race

Tencent bets on 1.4 billion user WeChat empire to get ahead in China's AI race  CNBC

Politics

4 w. ago Chinese carmakers race to build early advantage in flying car ventures after EV rivalry

The government forecasts the low-altitude mobility economy will increase more than fivefold to US$486 billion by 2035 from last year.

Transport