China expected to make breakthrough in AI theory development: Andrew Chi-Chih Yao

BEIJING -- China must solve the lack of theories in AI development to achieve the goal of becoming a power for artificial intelligence (AI) innovation by 2030, Turing Award-winning computer scientist Andrew Chi-Chih Yao said.

In the past 10 years, China has made great progress in AI development, but it should take the lead to make a breakthrough in AI theory development if the country wants a bigger achievement in the field, Yao said.

He stressed the importance of cooperation between universities and enterprises.

"Big companies cooperate with colleges in the U.S. and I hope that Chinese enterprises join hands with colleges for the long-term plan," Yao said. "I am now focusing on AI theory development. Let's wait and see what I can show you after two or three years."

Yao said he hoped China would make original achievements for intellectual property, instead of following sci-tech results from other countries.

Yao received the Turing Award, the most prestigious award in computer science, in 2000. He and nobel laureate Chen Ning Yang have given up their foreign citizenship and become Chinese citizens, according to an announcement by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) early this year.

The two scientists were hired as foreign academicians at CAS and have become full academicians in accordance with the academy's regulations.