Photo shows a launch ceremony being held in the Weihai Economic Development Zone, East China's Shandong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The North Artificial Intelligence Digital Base has recently been launched in the Weihai Economic Development Zone, East China's Shandong province, which aims to give full play to advanced AI and big data technologies and continuously contribute to the development of new quality productive forces.

The digital base is committed to providing high-quality and scenario-based data services for AI companies, thereby empowering the industrial upgrading and the growth of the local digital economy. There are currently six companies in the base, with ten more companies to be settled in soon.

"With top talents and other high-quality resources in place, the digital base will serve as an innovative platform that facilitates the integration of industry, academia and research. Its global influence will also continue to be elevated ..." said Duan Qingmei, general manager of the Shandong Qiyuan Data Technology Co Ltd, a key member of the base.

The Appen Data Technology Co, a world-leading AI training data provider, said it plans to settle in the digital base because Weihai is a city endowed with abundant educational resources and the local government has presented great wisdom and courage.

Tian Xiaopeng, Appen's global vice president, said the company provides multiple data types such as image, text, speech, audio, and video, and has carried out in-depth cooperation with the leading Chinese Internet and Autonomous vehicle companies, as well as phone manufacturers.

Against such a backdrop, the Weihai Economic Development Zone will continue to promote reform and innovation, thereby accelerating the construction of a modern industrial system and optimizing the local market environment, said Wang Qi, deputy director of the zone's Management Committee.