Researchers of Chinese origin comprised more than half of this year’s recipients of Apple’s annual fellowship programme on artificial intelligence (AI), shining a light on a brain drain that threatens the nation’s ambition to become a global powerhouse in that critical technology, reports the South China Morning Post.
The 2024 Apple Scholars in AIML PhD fellowship—focused on machine learning, a branch of AI concerned with developing algorithms and statistical models for computer systems—shows that 11 of the 21 admitted to the programme were of Chinese origin, based on their names and academic background that include bachelor’s level studies on the mainland, according to a list published on Tuesday by Apple on its website.
At least seven of the 11 fellowship recipients completed their undergraduate studies on the mainland and pursued further studies overseas, primarily in the United States. Each scholar will receive funding under the programme, as they pursue their PhD, internship opportunities and mentorship with an Apple researcher in their chosen field.