China warns against excess competition in booming AI race

China said it will prevent excess competition in the red-hot artificial intelligence sector, a signal that Beijing wants to avoid wasteful investment even as it seeks to turn the technology into a key pillar of the economy.

The country’s top economic planner said the government will encourage provinces to develop AI in a coordinated and complementary way. The goal is to leverage their distinctive strengths to foster growth without duplicating efforts, according to Zhang Kailin, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission.

“We…