E-commerce and logistics group JD.com will accept five artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology startups into a China-based accelerator called AI Catapult later this month.
AI Catapult was formed to add to JD.com’s experience with AI, which it already uses for processes such as automation and customer service.
The corporate also hopes to learn more about blockchain, which it currently employs to record where goods in its supply chain have originated, and its AI research division is interested in how blockchain’s scalability, privacy and efficiency could be improved.
The participants are Singapore-based decentralised database developer Bluezelle, UK-based e-commerce payments platform Nuggets, China-based financial technology startup Bankorous, Australia-based digital services marketplace CanYa and Australia-based product verification system developer Devery.
JD.com anticipates further investments in the AI and blockchain ecosystem through commercial, strategic and research partnerships, and AI Catapult’s graduates will have the chance to implement their technologies within the firm.