Increasing water and food shortages, along with declining birth rates, are making artificial intelligence (AI) technologies even more critical for the future of countries. China is likely to be leading the way in the development of AI, especially in autonomous systems. Stability AI CEO Emad Mostaque, who produces AI tools, made an important prediction about China’s AI efforts in a post on X.
In his post on X yesterday, Mostaque said that China would be the first country to have 100 million, then 1 billion robots. He also noted that many had not anticipated this scenario.
On the same day, Elon Musk posted on X, saying, “There will be more robots than humans in the future.”
It is evident that robots are greatly needed in heavy industry and the medical sector. China’s plans in this regard have already been put into action. China plans to start mass production of humanoid robots in 2025.
In early November, the Beijing Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) released a guideline explaining the goals for humanoid robot production. According to the guideline, groundbreaking developments in fundamental technology areas will occur with the production of humanoid robots and essential components will be ensured in a secure and efficient supply. According to the plan, humanoid robots will become a ‘new engine’ (driving force) for China’s economic growth by 2027.
Under the MIIT plans, the use of humanoid robots in key areas such as healthcare, domestic services, agriculture, and logistics will increase in the coming years. At the same time, the use of robots in areas that are dangerous to humans in the manufacturing sector will become widespread.
China’s goal is not only the mass production of humanoid robots but also to become a world leader in this field. In this context, industry standards will be developed, product testing capacity will be increased, and laboratories, industry organizations, and open source communities will be established. China also wants to be pioneering in setting international rules and standards in the global humanoid robot industry.
500 Robots for Every 10,000 Workers
In August 2023, Beijing announced that it would increase funding for robotics by $1.4 billion to accelerate the development of robotic technologies. China, which published the “Robot + Application Action Plan” at the beginning of 2024, aims to spread automation technologies in 10 industries. These industries are manufacturing, agriculture, architecture, logistics, energy, healthcare, education, elderly care services, commercial community services, emergencies, and advanced environmental applications.
China plans to assign 500 robots for every 10,000 workers by 2025. According to information from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), the use of robots in China has also increased rapidly in recent years. In 2021, China witnessed the addition of 243,000 new industrial robots, a 44% increase compared to the previous year. With this increase, China rose from being the ninth country with the most robotic equipment in 2020 to the fifth place in 2021, surpassing the USA, Hong Kong, and Sweden.
Remember the movie I, Robot?
Source: therobotreport.com
Main image: Aideal Hwa/Unsplash
