Mainland China added more than 237,000 new companies involved in artificial intelligence (AI) during the first half of this year, according to corporate database platform Qichacha, taking the total to 1.67 million amid Beijing’s efforts to foster the technology’s development.

Of that total, more than 1.48 million – almost 90 per cent – were set up after 2017, when the State Council, the country’s cabinet, published the Next Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan that outlined a goal to become a world leader in the technology. The Post’s search included all companies with AI in their name, patent portfolio and scope of business.