Harbin, capital city of China's northernmost Heilongjiang province, recently launched a series of policies to push forward the construction of a national new-generation artificial intelligence innovation and development pilot zone.
 
The newly-launched policies involve research on key artificial intelligence technologies, construction and operation of artificial intelligence innovation platforms, and development of artificial intelligence industry cultivation carriers.
 
According to the plan, Harbin will support enterprises, universities and scientific research institutions to carry out key research on technology that restricts the development and application of artificial intelligence in the city.
 
Projects that receive official approval will be given a maximum of 10 million yuan ($1.51 million) in financial support.
 
Meanwhile, Harbin will support the construction of artificial intelligence general technology research and development platforms, subsidizing 20 percent of the total price of research and development equipment recently purchased by platform construction entities, and the maximum subsidy for a single platform will not exceed 10 million yuan.
 
Moreover, Harbin will give a subsidy of up to 1 million yuan for artificial intelligence general technology research and development platforms and scientific and technological innovation service platforms that provide paid services to enterprises, schools and institutions in Harbin.
 
To promote the first application of new artificial intelligence achievements and new technologies in the city, Harbin will solicit projects from smart manufacturing, smart agriculture, smart education and cold scene demonstrations.
 
For the shortlisted application scenario projects, 30 percent of the total investment of the demonstration project investors (non-government investment projects) will be given, and a maximum of 5 million yuan will be granted.