China has made a significant advancement in artificial intelligence with the launch of a new system capable of utilizing the country’s extensive supercomputing infrastructure to conduct autonomous scientific research. Officially unveiled on December 23, 2024, this initiative follows the United States’ announcement of its own ambitious AI program, known as the Genesis Mission. The newly developed AI platform is now accessible to over a thousand institutional users throughout China, marking a pivotal moment in the global race for AI innovation.
Autonomous AI for Scientific Discovery
According to China Science Daily, this cutting-edge AI agent can interpret simple natural language instructions and manage entire research workflows with minimal human intervention. Once given a task, it breaks the problem down into manageable steps, allocates computing resources, runs simulations, analyzes large datasets, and generates detailed scientific reports. This transformative approach enhances efficiency, allowing tasks that once required an entire day to be completed in approximately one hour. The system currently supports nearly 100 scientific workflows covering crucial fields such as materials science, biotechnology, and industrial AI, focusing on expediting the discovery process by automating routine yet computationally demanding research activities.
At the heart of this initiative is China’s National Supercomputing Network, or SCNet, which connects more than 30 supercomputing centers nationwide. Launched in 2023, SCNet facilitates the pooling of computing power, enabling on-demand access to vast resources. The platform was officially introduced in the Binhai Hi-Tech Zone in Tianjin in April 2024, and its rapid expansion has linked computing centers serving government entities, enterprises, universities, and research institutions. By providing AI with direct access to this robust infrastructure, China is moving from experimental systems to a large-scale operational model that could redefine scientific research across the nation.
Transforming Research Dynamics
Chinese scientists involved in the project describe this platform as a transformative force in the organization of scientific work. “Science is shifting from number crunching to AI-powered discovery,” said Qian Depei, a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and head of the SCNet expert panel. He emphasized that these new AI agents will integrate tools, data, and computing power dispersed across various systems, equipping scientists with superior tools to enhance innovation speed.
The change is recognized not only as a technological advancement but also as an organizational evolution. “AI for Science is not only a technical pathway but also a transformation in how research is organized,” remarked Cao Zhennan, deputy director of the High Performance Computer Research Centre. This launch aligns with Beijing’s national “AI+” initiative, introduced in August 2023, which aims to harness AI to accelerate scientific discoveries and foster industrial innovation.
China’s strategy comes at a time of escalating competition with the United States in the fields of AI and advanced computing. Both nations have long invested heavily in supercomputers for sensitive applications, including weapon simulations and drug discovery. The U.S. responded in November 2024 when President Donald Trump announced the Genesis Mission, described as an “AI Manhattan Project” led by the Department of Energy. This initiative aims to train powerful AI systems using federal supercomputers and extensive government research datasets, with the goal of enhancing America’s technological dominance.
While the U.S. plan is constrained by strict deadlines, including early capability demonstrations within 270 days, China’s expedited deployment raises significant concerns. Granting AI systems direct control over national supercomputing networks poses potential risks, including exposing sensitive data, increasing vulnerabilities to cyber intrusions, and potentially allowing AI access to classified information related to weapons systems.
As both countries advance their AI capabilities, the implications for global technological leadership and security continue to evolve, making this area a focal point of international competition and collaboration.
