New-generation Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a strategic technology that exhibits strong spillover and driving effects, leading this round of technological revolution and industrial transformation. It has distinct characteristics: application empowerment, cross-disciplinary integration, and dual technical and social attributes . In the last two decades, AI, much like historical inventions such as steam engines, electricity, computers, and the Internet, has become a general-purpose enabling technology that has profoundly changed human society and promoted economic development at an unprecedented speed. New-generation AI is making great strides in multiple directions, offering tremendous opportunities to unleash human creativity and promote economic growth.This book is the research outcome of a major consulting research project “Strategic Research on Artificial Intelligence 2.0 in China” by the Chinese Academy of Engineering. It provides detailed introductions and discussions on the development and challenges of new-generation AI; the driving forces of the new generation of AI include big data intelligence, cross-media intelligence, collective intelligence, human-machine hybrid augmented intelligence, and intelligent autonomous unmanned systems; as well as innovative AI applications in manufacturing, urban development, agriculture, healthcare, education, and other fields. This book presents key theoretical frameworks and core technologies in AI, while offering forward-looking and substantiated perspectives on future development trends in AI research.
