AI technology-empowered robots interact with seniors at a nursing home in Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/zj.zjol.com.cn]

Hangzhou has designated four of its districts - Yuhang, Xiaoshan, Binjiang and Xihu - as pilot areas for developing artificial intelligence (AI) at a meeting on Aug 13.

The move is part of the city's initiative to develop itself into a national pilot zone for the AI industry.

The four districts have rich resources that can be used in the development of AI, including a number of large AI companies and well-known universities.

Yuhang was ranked first among Zhejiang province's top 20 districts in terms of digital-oriented transformation. Xiaoshan is known for holding many major events related to AI application. Binjiang boasts a high AI industrial value, with the figure reaching 180 billion yuan ($26.03 billion) this year. Xihu district, on the other hand, is home to Zhejiang's top universities such as Zhejiang University and Westlake University.

Putting these factors into consideration, the Hangzhou government designated the four districts to lead the city's AI growth, said Pan Honghua, deputy director of the Hangzhou science and technology bureau.

In the next half of this year, Hangzhou will hold the World AI Conference and International Intelligent Products Expo.

A visitor tries his hands at virtual reality (VR) equipment in the Hangzhou AI Town, an industrial park dedicated to developing AI technology in Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/zj.zjol.com.cn]