Challenging the US dominance within the artificial intelligence (AI) sector and heightening international tension over military technology applications, China has revealed its plans to become the AI world-leader by 2025.

China announced its national AI development plans yesterday, aiming to expand its AI industries to over 150billion yuan (US$22.15billion) by 2020 and 400billion yuan (US$59.07billion) by 2025.

Rui Yong, CEO at the Chinese multinational technology company, Lenovo, said to Reuters: “The local and central government are supporting this AI effort – they see this trend coming and they want to invest more.”

China’s State Council added: “The situation with China on national security and international competition is complex.

“We must take the initiative to firmly grasp this new stage of development for artificial intelligence and create a new competitive edge.”

Written by Leah Alger