The 2018 China International Big Data Fusion Innovation & Artificial Intelligence Global Competition, an important part of the Big Data Expo held annually in Guiyang every May, will open registration on Feb 10, according to a press conference held in Beijing on Jan 19.

The press conference for the 2018 China International Big Data Fusion Innovation & Artificial Intelligence Global Competition is held in Beijing on Jan 19. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The competition was organized by the committee of the China International Big Data Industry Expo and technology companies such as Intel (China) Co.

Six preliminary competitions will take place in China, the US and Israel, with semifinal and final competitions slated for late May 2018 in Guiyang, capital of Guizhou province.

Winners will have the chance to exhibit their products and services at the Big Data Expo in May, and are eligible to apply for logistic and capital support, according to the committee. Winners will also receive a total of 5 million yuan ($781,100) in prize money.

An online platform geared toward AI innovation was also launched on the same day as the press conference.

Wang Peng, vice-president of the Chinese research firm CCID Consulting Co, said during the opening ceremony that "the upcoming competition as well as the newly released AI development platform will inject much-needed energy into the industry and lead to even greater progress."

Wang Peng, vice-president of the Chinese research firm CCID Consulting Co, gives a speech at the press conference on Jan 19. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]