The new Computing for the Future at Fudan platform was designed to train large language models for the purpose of scientific research. Through that platform, Fudan University looks to build a number of models related to life sciences, material science and integrated circuits. — SCMP
Alibaba Group Holding’s cloud computing services subsidiary and Shanghai’s Fudan University have jointly launched what they describe as the country’s largest cloud-based scientific research and intelligent computing platform for universities, deepening the business unit’s ties with major public institutions and boosting its support for new artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives.
The new Computing for the Future at Fudan (CFFF) platform was designed to train large AI models, such as large language models (LLMs), for the purpose of scientific research, according to a statement published by Alibaba Cloud on Tuesday. Hangzhou-based parent Alibaba owns the South China Morning Post.
“In universities, professors may be able to afford cloud computing [services] with scientific research funds, but not every student can afford it,” said Alibaba Cloud founder Wang Jian at a ceremony held at the university’s campus. “I hope that everyone can use cloud computing to realise their scientific research ideals.”
China Telecom, the country’s largest fixed-line network operator and a major domestic cloud services provider, was also behind the development of the new computing platform. Earlier this month, China Telecom unveiled a plan to set up a huge computing centre in Shanghai to support the city’s AI industry.
The CFFF project, which Wang depicted as a dream come true after 15 years, reflects China’s big bet on generative AI as a strategic tool that would not only save a national economy saddled by debt and a sluggish post-coronavirus recovery, but also refuel the country’s bid to beat the US in their heated tech rivalry.
LLMs are deep-learning AI algorithms that can recognise, summarise, translate, predict and generate content using very large data sets. These represent the technology used to train AI chatbots like Microsoft-backed OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
Fudan University president Jin Li said the academic institution hopes to build a number of world-class models using the CFFF, including models related to life sciences, material science and integrated circuits.
Alibaba Cloud – headed by Daniel Zhang Yong, who will step down as the parent group’s chairman and chief executive in September – unveiled in April its answer to ChatGPT, called Tongyi Qianwen.
Cloud computing services from Alibaba and other providers enable enterprises to buy, sell, lease or distribute a range of software and other digital resources as an on-demand service over the Internet, just like electricity from a power grid. These resources are managed inside data centres.
“Enterprises and universities should join hands in innovation and talent training,” Jin was quoted as saying in Fudan University’s WeChat post on Tuesday about the “comprehensive strategic cooperation” with Alibaba Cloud.
Echoing that statement, Alibaba Cloud’s Wang said he expected the company and Fudan University would further “deepen the integration of production and education”.
While Alibaba Cloud and Fudan University did not elaborate on the details of their cooperation, the two sides are expected to help cultivate new local talent in AI.
Chinese state media recently drummed up support for generative AI, referring to the algorithms that power ChatGPT and similar services. A People’s Daily op-ed piece published earlier this month extolled the technology’s potential to help drive economic growth and become a useful daily tool.
Alibaba’s Cloud Intelligence Group, meanwhile, is expected to become an independent entity in the next 12 months under the ecommerce giant’s sweeping restructuring plan. That would eventually enable the firm to seek a separate public listing. – South China Morning Post
