China’s AI Science Push Faces a Weak Link: Imported Lab Machines

China’s heavy reliance on foreign-made scientific instruments could slow its use of artificial intelligence in research, a top Chinese scientist warned. Advanced tools like mass spectrometers are critical for producing the high-quality experimental data needed to train and improve AI models, said Weinan E, a professor at Peking University’s School of Mathematical Sciences. He spoke at the “AI for Science” conference in Shanghai last week. Without such imported precision equipment, generating reliable data for AI-driven science becomes difficult, he noted.