(Yicai Global) Dec. 20 -- China has set up its first artificial intelligence (AI) laboratory, national key laboratory for cognitive intelligence, announced the ministry of science and technology. Information technology company iFlytek Co. [SHE:002230] helped establish the AI laboratory, which will integrate the domestic and overseas research resources for cognitive intelligence technologies at the national level.

The laboratory will carry out research and development (R&D) and drive key breakthroughs in cognitive intelligence technologies by expanding the core research investment scale. It will also hold international exchanges in the same field. 

Liu Qingfeng, founder and chairman of iFlytek will serve as the director of the first administrative committee of the laboratory. Li Deyi, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, will serve as the director of the academic board. Hu Guoping, president of iFlytek research institute, will be the laboratory director.

iFlytek is a listed company on the A-share market engaging in the R&D of intelligence voice, speech and language technologies. China has singled out AI as a priority development area, pouring millions of dollars into the industry. Many Chinese tech companies have also sophisticated AI products, putting them ahead of their counterparts in other countries.