The Hefei National High-Tech Industry Development Zone is home to a number of AI-related enterprises. [Photo from WeChat account hefeigaoxinfabu]

The Hefei National High-Tech Industry Development Zone was selected as a candidate to become the national new-generation artificial intelligence (AI) innovation pilot zone, the municipal government said.

According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, China plans to build about 20 such pilot zones by 2023 with the goal of integrating AI technology with social and economic development.

Hefei hopes to host one of the pilot zones, which are expected to become development hubs for the AI industry.

The pilot zones will be allowed to employ special policies to create a favorable environment for AI enterprises and will be encouraged to develop a regional development model for AI innovation.

The Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone, which considers AI as one of its key industries, boasts a number of AI-related enterprises and high-caliber personnel. It met the requirements for the pilot zone in terms of the scale of its AI industry and its foundation for industrial development.

Anhui province issued a new plan to build AI industrial bases on Sept 27. The plan suggests that Hefei should host the pilot zone and encourages innovative measures to develop a new generation of AI.