AI’s Grand Era: Computation as the Foundation, Applications Accelerating

The dawn of the AI era has ushered in an unprecedented transformation across industries, with computation serving as the bedrock upon which this revolution stands. The AI landscape is now closely monitored for both short-term indicators like pricing trends in computational services and long-term metrics such as the penetration rate of intelligent computing. This evolution marks a decisive shift towards larger models, multimodal capabilities, and diverse application scenarios, fueling an undeniable surge in computational demand.

Short-Term Pulse: Computational Service Pricing

In the short run, the pricing dynamics of computational services offer a window into the supply-demand dynamics of this crucial resource. While fabs like TSMC, known for their heavy investments and cautious expansion strategies, lag slightly behind chip design firms in responding to market orders, the pricing of computational services provides a timely and objective measure of the market’s pace. This metric serves as a litmus test, reflecting the rhythm of demand and supply in the realm of computational power, a vital ingredient in the AI cooking pot.

Long-Term Vision: Intelligent Computing Penetration

Looking further ahead, the penetration rate of intelligent computing serves as a barometer of the industry’s maturity. Currently hovering at 22.78%, this figure echoes the early stages of a transformation reminiscent of the mobile internet era. History suggests that the inflection point for AI application penetration has arrived, with a potential ceiling exceeding 80%. This upward trajectory signals not just an expansion of AI’s reach but also a deepening of its impact across sectors.

National Ambitions: The Rise of Domestic Ecosystems

Amidst the backdrop of heightened technological competition between China and the United States, the drive for domestic technological self-sufficiency has gained momentum. With the U.S. tightening its grip on technology exports, Chinese companies have accelerated their efforts to build robust hardware and software ecosystems. Huawei’s Ascend chips, for instance, demonstrate hardware performance comparable to international leaders, while the burgeoning open ecosystem centered around Ascend signifies a rapid evolution towards domestic dominance. AI unicorns are adopting a dual-pronged strategy: maintaining compatibility with existing systems while forging their own ecosystems, increasingly collaborating with domestic giants to create a vibrant domestic AI landscape.

Rapid Model Advancements: Domestic Apps Poised for Breakout

As AI emerges as a key battleground in international competition, China’s policies continue to emphasize guidance and encouragement for the AI industry. With abundant supply and demand dynamics, as well as a vast pool of engineers, China is poised to rival, if not surpass, its global counterparts in AI software application development and productization. The release of large-scale AI models in China has witnessed a surge in traffic, though analysis of outbound traffic indicates that commercialization remains in its nascent stages. Drawing inspiration from successful international models, China’s AI ecosystem, enriched by multimodal capabilities, is poised to further boost model traffic and user engagement.

The Future of AI: A Symphony of Computation and Innovation

The grand era of AI is not just about the relentless pursuit of computational prowess; it’s a harmonious blend of technological advancements, strategic partnerships, and policy support. As we stand at the cusp of this transformation, five keywords emerge as the cornerstone of our narrative:

1. Computation Power: The lifeblood of AI’s relentless march forward, driving every advancement and innovation.
2. Intelligent Computing: The benchmark of industry maturity, reflecting the depth and breadth of AI’s integration into our lives.
3. Domestic Ecosystem: The cornerstone of China’s AI aspirations, fostering innovation and resilience amidst global challenges.
4. Model Advancements: The relentless pursuit of better, faster, and more versatile AI solutions, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
5. Policy Support: The guiding hand, nurturing the growth of AI from infancy to maturity, ensuring its sustainable development for generations to come.

In conclusion, the AI grand era is a testament to humanity’s relentless quest for knowledge and progress. With computation as its foundation and applications accelerating at an unprecedented pace, the future holds limitless possibilities for how AI will shape our world. As we navigate this exciting journey, these five keywords serve as beacons, guiding us towards a smarter, more interconnected tomorrow.