Skip to Content
Artificial intelligence

The world’s most valuable AI startup is … yep, Chinese

April 9, 2018

SenseTime, an AI-powered facial recognition company, is breaking funding records.

The news: Bloomberg says that SenseTime has raised $600 million from Alibaba and other investors at a valuation of over $3 billion, making it the world’s most valuable AI startup.

I spy money: SenseTime’s technology helps power China’s massive surveillance networks. The firm will use some of the cash to build at least five supercomputers to help track many thousands of live video feeds, boost staffing, and fund a push into autonomous driving and augmented reality.

And more money: Bloomberg reports that the firm is already in talks to raise more cash and is targeting a valuation of over $4.5 billion.

AI smarts: SenseTime has been hiring loads of AI PhDs, and since 2015 has published more papers at top AI conferences than American giants such as Facebook and Google.

China vs the US: The rapid rise of SenseTime and other big AI startups in China will give more ammunition to those who think the US urgently needs a national AI plan.

Deep Dive

Artificial intelligence

DeepMind’s cofounder: Generative AI is just a phase. What’s next is interactive AI.

“This is a profound moment in the history of technology,” says Mustafa Suleyman.

Deepfakes of Chinese influencers are livestreaming 24/7

With just a few minutes of sample video and $1,000, brands never have to stop selling their products.

AI hype is built on high test scores. Those tests are flawed.

With hopes and fears about the technology running wild, it's time to agree on what it can and can't do.

You need to talk to your kid about AI. Here are 6 things you should say.

As children start back at school this week, it’s not just ChatGPT you need to be thinking about.

Stay connected

Illustration by Rose Wong

Get the latest updates from
MIT Technology Review

Discover special offers, top stories, upcoming events, and more.

Thank you for submitting your email!

Explore more newsletters

It looks like something went wrong.

We’re having trouble saving your preferences. Try refreshing this page and updating them one more time. If you continue to get this message, reach out to us at customer-service@technologyreview.com with a list of newsletters you’d like to receive.