The first supportive measures in Zhuhai targeted to spur development of the artificial intelligence (AI) industry with repository management, tailored services, and incentive awards have been issued in Hengqin New Area.

The local Bureau of Commerce will set up a repository of AI enterprises and institutions that are registered, operate, and pay taxes in Hengqin and have at least five employees. The recipients may be proficient in machine recognition, in-depth learning, neural networks, natural language processing, biometric feature recognition, new-type human-computer interactions, or autonomous decision control.

Professional institutions or experts will oversee the assessment. Through dynamic tracking, Hengqin will offer associated capital and project matchmaking and market promotion services based on the development of each enterprise.

Business section of Hengqin New Area [Photo courtesy Guanhai App]

Moreover, Hengqin encourages local AI enterprises to use the Hengqin Advanced Intelligent Computing Center. The center has a computing power of up to 1.16 exa-operations per second (Eops) relying on a domestically made neural network chip. It strongly supports the Smart City; epidemic prevention and control; and finance, manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics sectors. It is operated by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Guangdong and Zhuhai governments.

Hengqin will subsidize 50 percent of the charges for using the center's computing power with an annual limit of 3 million yuan ($422,610) for a single enterprise. User enterprises that have made direct revenue contribution to local economy over the past year will receive subsidies for three consecutive years. A maximum 2 million yuan ($281,740) will be given to enterprises showing an increase in operating revenue, while up to 3 million yuan will be granted to those with an annual bank loan of more 1 million yuan ($140,870) that is applied to business and R&D expansion.

Up to 1 million yuan is available for enterprises based on legal and financial transactions generated from restructuring and acquisition. Those purchasing computing chips for secondary development will be subsidized 8 percent of that expense to a limit of 1.5 million yuan ($211,300) annually for a single enterprise.

In addition, AI unicorn enterprises that host innovative application competitions will be subsidized up to 4 million yuan ($563,480) by the local Bureau of Commerce, while winners will receive at least 2 million. Hengqin will entrust professional institutions to recognize up to 10 demonstration projects for AI application and compensate them with half of their investment.

Projects with national, provincial, or municipal recognition will be offered an additional award equal to the amount they receive from the municipal government.