Google’s Pichai Sings China’s Praises in AI, Pledges Bigger Team

Bloomberg News

2018年3月26日 下午1:19 [GMT+8]

...Google has invested in Chinese startups, forged a patent alliance with Tencent Holdings Ltd. and is pushing its TensorFlow AI tools in the country despite key services such as search and email remaining blocked. The Mountain View, California-based company recently opened a research lab in Beijing focused on AI, a blossoming field but one at the center of tensions between China and the US.

“We’ve already got a small team doing research there and look forward to expanding it,” he told an audience at the conference that was attended by senior government officials and executives including Apple CEO Tim Cook.

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In 2010, Google refused to censor search results with China’s internet censors later blocking access. Now Google and Facebook Inc. are among foreign giants who regularly visit in an effort to curry favor and regain access to the lucrative market.

To illustrate China’s growing prowess, Pichai pointed to podcast service Cast Box as an example of local apps that are gaining international popularity.

Google’s lab falls under its cloud unit, and the company has suggested it’s open to entering mainland China with that business if it’s allowed to.

— With assistance by Mark Bergen, Kevin Hamlin, and David Ramli