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On September 5, the “In AI·Unlimited Future Innovation Conference” was held at the Bund, hosted by the Financial Associated Press and the K-Star Daily under the Shanghai Media Group, with support from AI Daily and Blue Whale News.
During a roundtable discussion titled “AI Industry Empowerment and Investment Opportunities,” industry leaders and investment experts engaged in in-depth conversations about AI technology pathways, business applications, and the potential for AI to empower various sectors. The session was moderated by Mao Mingjiang, the TMT editor-in-chief at the Financial Associated Press and head of AI Daily.
Chen Yu, a partner at Yunqi Capital and an angel investor in MiniMax, shared insights on the classification of business applications of large models, which he identified as three main areas: B2B (business to business), B2C (business to consumer), and embodied intelligence. He highlighted that large models significantly enhance the intelligence of software in the B2B sector, greatly boosting productivity in enterprises. In contrast, for B2C applications, opportunities lie in emotional companionship, gaming, and consumer electronics like translation earphones and smart glasses, particularly as large models lead to new AI hardware developments.
According to Chen, prior to the advent of embodied intelligence, robots were limited to specific functions. Now, however, they can quickly learn and perform different tasks, presenting new opportunities enabled by this technology.
Zhou Yutong, a partner at GSR Ventures, discussed AI investment opportunities, outlining his firm’s focus areas: B2B and B2C, domestic versus overseas ventures, and software versus hardware. He noted that e-commerce and marketing are among the most rapidly commercialized scenarios in the B2B arena, where AI can enhance efficiency and reduce costs significantly, with ROI being a clear measure of success.
While sectors like finance, law, healthcare, and industry also benefit from large models, Zhou indicated that their adoption may be slower due to the stringent requirements inherent in these industries. On the B2C side, products like ChatGPT have begun to fulfill past search needs, while emotional companionship applications are addressing consumers’ specific demands. Zhou expressed optimism about the potential applications of large models in the entertainment sector, where they could lower creative barriers and increase user engagement.
Zhou Zhe, a partner at Yida Capital, emphasized the importance of technological attributes and market drivers in their investment strategies. He pointed to the heat dissipation sector as a significant emerging need driven by advancements in large models.
The demand for optical modules is similarly expected to rise, fueled by the growing adoption of IoT, industrial internet, and AR/VR technologies, which necessitate robust communication networks for innovative applications. Zhou noted that technological advances, like the transition from 2G to 4G, have historically created new market segments and opportunities.
Luh Huangxian, managing director at Redpoint Ventures, stated that the firm had made early investments in AI chips, including in companies such as Suir Technology and Hanbo Semiconductor, before the widespread recognition of products like ChatGPT. He believes that the long-term commitment to AI is sound, especially given that companies like Nvidia are reshaping the landscape. He stressed the significance of strong founding teams possessing both expertise and funding capabilities.
Feng Bo, managing partner at Changlei Capital, discussed the importance of recognizing the limits of cognitive technology when investing in large models. He indicated that Changlei Capital’s focus is primarily on B2B software and terminal hardware.
As the Chief Technology Officer of Guotai Property Insurance, Zhu Jianping remarked on the substantial impact of AI on various industries. He highlighted the implementation of AI in streamlining processes such as marketing, insurance underwriting, claims, and customer service, as well as its integration in product innovation and risk management. Zhu noted that AI has significantly enhanced user experience and operational efficiency, contributing to impressive annual growth for the company, despite industry challenges related to compliance.
In addition to the named attendees, representatives from over a dozen investment firms, including Huangpu River Capital, Qiming Venture Partners, Jiangdu Capital, and others, participated in the roundtable discussions at the “In AI·Unlimited Future Innovation Conference.”
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