最近，我在「TIME時代」雜志的專欄文章裡，向全球的讀者介紹了大陸「世界工廠」的+AI自動化升級。隨著勞動力成本的上漲，工業自動化、智慧化勢必是大陸製造業的一劑特效藥。自動化能讓運營成本下降，但仍能讓中國大陸保持生產品質、流程、供應鏈維度的優勢。AI賦能產業升級的願景或許還需多年才能實現，但當下的大陸已經讓未來可期。

以下是專欄文章全文，經TIME授權翻譯轉載：

「中國世界工廠 + AI 的未來」

多年來，中國大陸一直被喻為「世界工廠」，即便在全球其他經濟體紛紛遭遇新冠疫情重擊的2020年，大陸製造產業仍然維持穩健的增長范式，全年產值高達3.854萬億美元，占到全球市場近三分之一。

但如果你腦中的大陸工廠是傳統的「血汗工廠」，是時候修正你的刻板印象了。大陸經濟已經迅速地從疫情衝擊下復蘇，疫情同時催化了各種各樣人工智慧（AI）的應用場景加速實現。自2014年以來，中國大陸的AI專利申請量已經超越美國，至今維持全球領先。在學術領域，中國大陸的AI研究論文發表數量、AI期刊的引用量，也雙雙在近年超過了美國。在產業方面，AI應用在大陸的落地速度超越世界其他國家和地區，具有商業價值的AI應用如今開始百花齊放，整合了軟體、硬體和機器人技術的新一代自動化揭開序曲，AI賦能傳統行業的能量，正在蓄勢待發地重塑各行各業。

人類社會至今經歷了三次不同的工業革命：蒸汽革命、電力革命和資訊革命。我相信，AI將會是推動全球第四次工業革命的核心引擎，在世界各地點燃數位化和自動化的變革，而這波前所未有的硬科技浪潮，將由中國來引領實踐。

由於勞動人口減少和新增人口放緩，中國大陸的傳統產業正面臨著勞動力成本上升的巨大壓力，AI正是解決這個難題的技術解答。人工智慧不僅能夠降低運營成本，提高生產效率，擴大整體產能，還有望能帶來收入的增長。

例如，創新工場投資的廣州極飛科技是一家致力於未來農業的AI科技公司，極飛將無人機、機器人和感測器部署在稻田、麥田和棉花田裡，用技術賦能農業中的播種、農藥噴灑、栽種管理、甚至天氣監測環節。用於作物噴灑的極飛科技R150農業無人車已經被推廣到了英國，應用在蘋果、草莓、黑莓等多種經濟作物的種植流程中。

一些大陸的創新公司正積極把機器人拓展到意想不到的場景。總部位於北京的鎂伽是創新工場投資的生命科學智慧自動化公司，他們和實驗室、製藥公司、高校合作，憑藉AI+機器人技術的積累，用自動化解決方案執行實驗室中勞動密集、重複性高、但需要高度精確的任務和流程，同時機器人作業也將盡最大可能保護實驗室人員降低實驗過程中的感染風險。

除了創業公司，我們看到幾家成熟的龍頭企業也開始積極擁抱AI。創新工場參與了有28年歷史的中力電動叉車，這家頭部的鋰電叉車製造商已經推出了能夠在工廠、倉庫自主運行的無人叉車，並且無需對運行環境進行改造，能快速實現從手動到電動到自動駕駛的搬運賦能創新。此外，擁有50多年歷史的領先客車製造商-宇通集團，與自動駕駛獨角獸企業-文遠知行戰略合作，已在大陸三個城市的馬路上運行全無人駕駛小巴。

接著會發生什麼？我大膽預見，在更長遠的未來，機器人和AI將接管大多數產品的製造、設計、交付甚至營銷——很可能將生產成本降低到和原物料成本相差無幾。未來的機器人有能力自我複製和自我修復，甚至做到部分自我反覆運算設計。房屋和公寓將交由AI主導設計，使用預製建築模塊，交由機器人像搭積木似地築樓蓋房。無人公交、無人摩托等隨傳隨到的自動化未來交通系統，能將我們安全無虞地送達想去的地方。

這些願景成為現實或許還需要多年，但此時的大陸正在積極鋪墊引領新一代自動化革命的基石。可期的是，中國工廠的實力將不僅僅體現在產能上，而將逐步彰顯在智慧上。

本文經「TIME時代」授權進行中文編譯，原文如下：

China Is Still the World's Factory — And It's Designing the Future With AI

BY KAI-FU LEE

For many years now, China has been the world’s factory. Even in 2020, as other economies struggled with the effects of the pandemic, China’s manufacturing output was $3.854 trillion, up from the previous year, accounting for nearly a third of the global market.

But if you are still thinking of China’s factories as sweatshops, it’s probably time to change your perception. The Chinese economic recovery from its short-lived pandemic blip has been boosted by its world-beating adoption of artificial intelligence (AI). After overtaking the U.S. in 2014, China now has a significant lead over the rest of the world in AI patent applications. In academia, China recently surpassed the U.S. in the number of both AI research publications and journal citations. Commercial applications are flourishing: a new wave of automation and AI infusion is crashing across a swath of sectors, combining software, hardware and robotics.

As a society, we have experienced three distinct industrial revolutions: steam power, electricity and information technology. I believe AI is the engine fueling the fourth industrial revolution globally, digitizing and automating everywhere. China is at the forefront in manifesting this unprecedented change.

Chinese traditional industries are confronting rising labor costs thanks to a declining working population and slowing population growth. The answer is AI, which reduces operational costs, enhances efficiency and productivity, and generates revenue growth.

For example, Guangzhou-based agricultural-technology company XAG, a Sinovation Ventures portfolio company, is sending drones, robots and sensors to rice, wheat and cotton fields, automating seeding, pesticide spraying, crop development and weather monitoring. XAG’s R150 autonomous vehicle, which sprays crops, has recently been deployed in the U.K. to be used on apples, strawberries and blackberries.

Some companies are rolling out robots in new and unexpected sectors. MegaRobo, a Beijing-based life-science automation company also backed by Sinovation Ventures, designs AI and robots to safely perform repetitive and precise laboratory work in universities, pharmaceutical companies and more, reducing to zero the infection risk to lab workers.

It’s not just startups; established market leaders are also leaning into AI. EP Equipment, a manufacturer of lithium-powered warehouse forklifts founded in Hangzhou 28 years ago, has with Sinovation Ventures’ backing launched autonomous models that are able to maneuver themselves in factories and on warehouse floors. Additionally Yutong Group, a leading bus manufacturer with over 50 years’ history, already has a driverless Mini Robobus on the streets of three cities in partnership with autonomous vehicle unicorn WeRide.

Where is all this headed? I can foresee a time when robots and AI will take over the manufacturing, design, delivery and even marketing of most goods—potentially reducing costs to a small increment over the cost of materials. Robots will become self-replicating, self-repairing and even partially self-designing. Houses and apartment buildings will be designed by AI and use prefabricated modules that robots put together like toy blocks. And just-in-time autonomous public transportation, from robo-buses to robo-scooters, will take us anywhere we want to go.

It will be years before these visions of the future enter the mainstream. But China is laying the groundwork right now, setting itself up to be a leader not only in how much it manufactures, but also in how intelligently it does it.

Source：https://time.com/6084158/china-ai-factory-future/

✨美國在台協會 (AIT) 及駐美國台北經濟文化代表處 (TECRO) 於本週盛大啟動「美台教育倡議」！

AIT處長酈英傑表示：「『美台教育倡議』的宗旨是要讓更多人有機會接觸到中英文語言教學課程，同時捍衛學術自由。更具體地說，這項倡議將特別凸顯台灣在為美國及世界各地的人們，提供中文教學方面的重要角色，並力求擴大台灣在這方面的影響力。…世界各地的大學都已經關閉了孔子學院，因為它們在中國的審查制度及惡意影響力活動方面，扮演了一定的角色。但是美國及國際學生，對於學習中文，仍然抱有很濃厚的興趣。面對全世界對學習中文的強烈興趣，台灣可以、而且也應該扮演重要角色。」

本週的「美台教育倡議」邀請了美國國務院、美國教育部代表及台灣相關部會代表共同參與線上對話，討論如何擴展中英文教學的合作，線上對話成果豐碩。隨後雙邊也簽署了一份合作備忘錄，詳列美台在教育合作上的共同目標。

✅處長致詞稿: https://bit.ly/37vyHGt
✅新聞稿: https://bit.ly/3lwSg6l
✅備忘錄: https://bit.ly/39Crs2c
✅背景資料: https://bit.ly/2KWUwqR

✨This week, AIT and TECRO launched the U.S.-Taiwan Education Initiative!

As AIT Director Christensen explained: “The Initiative is aimed at expanding access to Chinese and English language instruction, while safeguarding academic freedom. Specifically, the Initiative will highlight and enhance Taiwan’s role in providing Chinese language instruction to Americans and to people around the world. …Universities around the world have been closing Confucius Institutes because of their role in censorship and malign influence campaigns by the People’s Republic of China (PRC). However, interest in Chinese language learning remains strong among American and international students. Taiwan can and should play a key role in addressing that interest.”

This week’s launch included a virtual dialogue by representatives from the U.S. Departments of State and Education and their Taiwan counterparts to discuss ways to expand cooperation on Chinese and English language instruction. It also included the signing of an MOU laying out our shared goals in this area.

✅Director’s remarks: https://bit.ly/3lzYfrh
✅Press release: https://bit.ly/36z7qUx
✅MOU: https://bit.ly/39Crs2c
✅Fact sheet: https://bit.ly/2KWUwqR

以前在中大讀書的日子，偶爾在聯合書院會碰到高錕教授與師母在散步。小小書生，遇到德高望重的諾貝爾獎得主，自是很興奮。我怕打擾教授，所以都沒有跟他拍照，只是打打招呼，不過同學和他拍照，他也會很高興。有時，我們對他微笑，他也會熱情地笑，如同小孩天真爛漫的笑容。也許人成長了，就很難再有如此單純的笑容。那時年少，總想，腦退化症，誠然是傷痛的事，也令教授無法享受得獎的快樂，但最起碼，他換回了另一種快樂，也是一點安慰。

我認識高錕教授不多，但我無法忘記他的笑容。感謝你的貢獻，願你帶著這笑容到更美的地方。

【敬悼中大前校長及光纖之父高錕教授】
中大第三任校長、工程學榮譽講座教授及榮譽博士及諾貝爾物理學獎得主高錕教授大紫荊勳賢於9月23日離世，享年84歲。中大對高教授離世深感哀痛，並向高教授的家人致以深切慰問。

高教授於1966年首度提出光導纖維在通訊上應用的基本原理，促成互聯網的出現。高教授於1970年出任中大新成立的電子學系（現稱電子工程學系）教授兼系主任，並為中大首位電子學講座教授；1985年獲頒授榮譽理學博士銜，1987年至1996年出任中大校長。高教授榮休後，一直擔任中大工程學榮譽講座教授。

中大校長段崇智教授表示：「高教授是出類拔萃的學者，也是高等教育界高瞻遠矚的領袖，他作為中大第三任校長，在任內積極推動中大整體發展，建立穩固基礎，為有才之士開拓發展空間，成就超卓。高教授於科研方面亦力求創新，矢志追求卓越，其於光纖方面的研究，促成互聯網發展，為人類通訊史寫下全新一頁。高教授的離世對中大及全球學術界均是重大損失。大學同人將銘記高教授對中大及全球的重大貢獻，我謹代表中大教職員、同學及校友向高教授的家人致以深切慰問。」詳情：bit.ly/2pt1Igm

中大將由明日起（24日）於校內設置弔唁區，供各界人士悼念高教授：
日期：由2018年9月24日至2018年10月24日
時間：
星期一至五 上午9時至晚上8時
星期六 上午9時至下午6時
星期日 下午1時至下午6時
地點：沙田香港中文大學本部大學展覽廳（位於大學圖書館正門出入口處）
交通：港鐵大學站A出口外設有穿梭校巴往返中央階梯

【In Memory of Professor Sir Charles K. Kao, former Vice-Chancellor of CUHK and Father of Fibre Optics】
Professor Sir Charles K. Kao, the third Vice-Chancellor, Honorary Professor of Engineering, and Doctor of Science, honoris causa, of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), laureate of the Nobel Prize in Physics and Great Bauhinia Medallist passed away on 23 September 2018, at the age of 84. CUHK is profoundly saddened and conveys its deepest condolences to his family.

Professor Kao developed the principles of fibre optics in 1966, eventually ushering in the age of the internet. Professor Kao joined CUHK in 1970 as Reader and Chair of the then new Department of Electronics (later renamed to Department of Electronic Engineering), and appointed as the first Professor of Electronics. He was conferred the degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa, by CUHK in 1985. He was Vice-Chancellor of CUHK from 1987-1996. Upon his retirement, Professor Kao was appointed Honorary Professor of Engineering.

Professor Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, said, “Professor Kao was a brilliant scholar and visionary leader in higher education. As the third Vice-Chancellor, he spearheaded the advancement of CUHK in its formative years, laying down a fertile ground for the growth of talents, and made remarkable achievements during his tenure. His impeccable striving for excellence in science and technology led to his groundbreaking accomplishments in the area of fibre optics, which brought forth the development of the internet and opened a new page in the history of telecommunications. Professor Kao’s passing is a great loss to CUHK, Hong Kong, and global academia. All of us at CUHK will remember his immense contributions to the University and to the world. I sincerely offer our deepest condolences to Professor Kao’s family on behalf of the teachers, students and alumni of CUHK.” Details: bit.ly/2xJFUB1

A place for condolence will be set up in the campus for the public to sign in and record their messages of condolences to pay their last respects to Prof. Kao:
Date: From 24 September 2018 to 24 October 2018
Time:
Mondays to Fridays 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
Saturdays 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sundays: 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Venue: University Gallery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin (located at the main entrance of the University Library)
Transportation: A shuttle bus running between MTR University Station (outside Exit A) and the Central Steps