SAS and Coleman Parkes Research have conducted a new survey that indicates that China is the world leader in the utilization and investment of generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
The AI and analytics software company, headquartered in the United States, disclosed data from a survey of 1,600 decision-makers from various global industries on July 9. According to the study, 83% of respondents in China acknowledged employing generative AI technology.
In the United Kingdom, 70% of respondents have implemented generative AI, whereas the United States, a global champion in developing high-powered AI models, has a 65% adoption rate.
In finance, insurance, healthcare, telecommunications, manufacturing, retail, and energy, the global average was approximately 54%.
Implementation, Not Adoption
Stephen Saw, the managing director at Coleman Parkes, stated that China’s adoption rates do not inherently indicate effective implementation or superior returns.
Despite its prominence in applying specific technologies, China does not monopolize fully implemented generative AI. Compared to 19% in China and 11% in the U.K., organizations in the U.S. are the leaders in this field, with 24%.
SAS’s executive vice president and chief technology officer, Bryan Harris, stated that organizations must distinguish between hype and actuality during the “discover phase” of any new technology to determine the most effective implementation strategy.
He stated that the generative AI cycle has reached that point.
“As we exit the hype cycle, it is now about purposefully implementing and delivering repeatable and trusted business results from GenAI.”
Access to technology developed in the United States or U.S.-based companies, such as high-power semiconductor processors manufactured by the global leader Nvidia, remains significantly restricted.
China’s Optimistic About AI
However, the data indicates that China remains exceedingly optimistic regarding AI. A report from the World Intellectual Property Organization of the United Nations ranked China as the top country in filing patents related to generative AI.
Over a decade, from 2014 to 2023, the nation submitted more than 38,000 patents concerning technology, while the United States submitted only 6,276.
In May, it was reported that four Chinese startups specializing in generative AI have achieved unicorn status, each eclipsing $1 billion in valuation.
AliPay, China’s e-payments application, has also reportedly integrated generative AI. This technology is capable of identifying users’ baldness.