User:Bigcutiepie/sandbox

Shanghai Xiaoi Robot Technology Co. Ltd (“Xiao-i”), a Chinese AI company founded in 2001 by Max Yuan and Pinpin Zhu, develops AI technologies and industry applications specializing with in data domain and Natural Language Processing.

The company is headquartered in Shanghai and has branches, research facilities and "AI+" experience centers in Beijing, Guangzhou, Guizhou, Hong Kong, Nanjing and Shenzhen to provide conversational AI applications and data solutions. It also provides advisory services to more than 1,000 government and business organizations across multiple industries, serving more than 800 million users around the world. In 2018, Xiao-i opened its Asia-Pacific headquarters in Hong Kong.

History
Xiao-i was founded in 2001 in Shanghai and debuted its first chatbot in 2004 over Microsoft Network’s (MSN) messaging platform as its global strategic partner. Xiao-i’s first development phase focused on Natural Language Processing to consumers with the aim of enhancing the customer experience with AI technology and applications. In 2006 the company updated their chatbot with specific company related knowledge in addition to weather reports and stock market data. In 2008, Xiao-i began to collaborate with its first corporate client Jiangsu Mobile to develop an intelligent customer service robot that provided service to the telecommunication company’s customers through its website and addressed customer queries over mobile phone text messaging. The chatbot helped to reduce Jiangsu Mobile’s labor costs by around $300,000. Xiao-i currently supports China’s three mobile carriers with its AI technology and applications. Xiao-i entered its second development phase in 2011. The company shifted its focus from the consumer to the business market which presented greater growth and monetization opportunities. offered  During 2012-2014, Xiao-i grew its client base in the banking sector, for example it launched a virtual customer assistant (VCA) for China Merchants Bank and China Construction Bank in 2012. Xiao-i also rolled out solutions for Smart TV, Smart Homes, Smart Appliances and Smart Automobiles, serving clients such as Samsung, Haier and LG. During 2015-2016, Xiao-i released its proprietary Cloud Platform that powers AI systems and enables them to make prompt and accurate decisions. Later, Xiao-i upgraded this platform and launched intelligent Robotic Operating System iBot OS. To expand its international presence, Xiao-i established its research and development center in Hong Kong in 2017, followed by the opening of its Asia-Pacific headquarters in the same city in 2018. Hong Kong Chief Executive Ms. Carrie Lam officiated the opening ceremony.