Google is opening a research centre on artificial intelligence (AI) in China and will be employing local talent.

The Google AI China Center will consist of a small group of researchers supported by several hundred China-based engineers, according to Bloomberg.

According to the BBC, China has indicated strong support for AI development, catching up with the USA.

Fei-Fei Li, chief scientist at Google Cloud, said to the BBC and Business Insider: “As technology starts to shape human life in more profound ways, we will need to work together to ensure that the AI of tomorrow benefits all of us.

‘AI has potential to make everyone’s life better’

“The Google AI China Center is a small contribution to this goal. We look forward to working with the brightest AI researchers in China to help find solutions to the world’s problems.

“Whether a breakthrough occurs in Silicon Valley, Beijing or anywhere else, AI has the potential to make everyone’s life better for the entire world.”

The tech giant currently has two offices in China, despite Google’s search engine and other services being banned in the country.

Written by Leah Alger