China Builds Its ChatGPT, OpenAI Blocks Access
ChatGPT tools are being tested by government employees in Hong Kong, with plans to make it accessible for all, yet OpenAI is looking for ways to stop it.
In its own vibrant city, Hong Kong’s government decided to test their own ChatGPT for its employees with aims that they would build something special and molded for their needs. Just when the news broke to OpenAI, it was decided by the Microsoft-backed company to go the extra mile and block access from unsupported cities and regions.
The Minister for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Sun Dong announced on a radio show that his department is working on developing a new AI program framework to help public servants. He labeled “document aid diligence for civil servant” in Taiwan, as he plans to increase its capabilities and be accessible for the other parts of the government before the year ends.
This AI plan was developed by Hong Kong University of Science and Technology’s Creative Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Centre with collaboration from various universities.
The documentation also indicated that Sun said the future could include items such as graphics’ layout and video-layout. It remains vague how it will measure up to ChatGPT in terms of its capacities. Both industry leaders and government officials agreed that the program’s further development would involve input from both private sector participants and the government.
“Given Hong Kong’s current situation, it’s difficult for Hong Kong to get giant companies like Microsoft and Google to subsidize such projects, so the government had to start doing it,” Sun stated.
Sun emphasized this while discussing seeking funds from large firms like Microsoft or Google which led to initiation of project by government.
China vs US AI Rivalry
China and the United States are rivals for AI dominance, as well as other leading economic industries, with China aiming to become the global leader by 2030.
The maker of ChatGPT tools, does not support China, Hong Kong. Francis Fong, honorary chair of the Hong Kong Information Technology Federation, expressed that while he is uncertain if Hong Kong’s AI plan will surpass ChatGPT, it might gain technological advantages with community support. He noted that a locally developed AI might better address local language and issues but could also be “politically correct.”
In China, foreign websites and applications, including ChatGPT, are generally unavailable due to the country’s firewall. Chinese tech giants like Alibaba and Baidu have developed AI models similar to ChatGPT that comply with China’s censorship rules.
At the End of the Day…
Hong Kong’s new AI program for government use is a great initiative which highlights the region’s efforts to develop and enhance the local AI capabilities amid global competition and political sensitivities. While it may not yet match ChatGPT, representing an important step forward in the region’s technological development.
China would not only change ChatGPT tools but definitely mold it to meet the culture of the country, meaning that the prompts could be more culturally appropriate prompts, the answers generate could be more accurate than what we have on ChatGPT.
The rivalry between the Chinese GPT and OpenAI is reminding me of the rivalry between the amazing algorithm of TikTok and that of Instagrams which proves a point that when China takes it, it makes better.
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