一家联合国机构表示，美国、中国和日本在人工智能开发方面处于世界领先地位。
The three countries were named in a new study from the UN's World Intellectual Property Organization, or WIPO. The organization says on its website that WIPO aims to "lead the development of a balanced and effective international intellectual property system."
这3个国家在联合国世界知识产权组织（WIPO）的一项新研究中被提及。该组织在其网站上表示，世界知识产权组织的目标是“引领国际知识产权制度均衡有效发展。”
The new study examines development activities for different AI technologies worldwide. It also attempts to predict the future progression of AI as it relates to new inventions.
这项新研究考察了全球各种人工智能技术的开发活动，并试图预测与新发明有关的人工智能的未来发展。
The study is based on international patent requests, legal findings, scientific publications and other information. It includes patent requests in machine learning through 2016, the last year for which details are available.
这项研究是基于国际专利申请、法律调查结果、科学出版物和其它信息。它包括了整个2016年在机器学习方面的专利申请，这也是可获得信息的最新一年。
Much of today's AI-related technologies are powered by machine learning.
当今大部分人工智能相关技术都是由机器学习所驱动。
The study found that there had been as many patent applications for artificial intelligence since 2013 as there were in all the time since the term AI was first used in the 1950s.
研究发现，2013年以来的人工智能专利申请数量跟上世纪50年代以来的申请数量相当，当时首次提出了人工智能这个术语。
Machine learning was the most common method of AI listed in patent requests. It was responsible for more than one-third of all identified inventions.
机器学习是专利申请中列出的最常用的人工智能技术，占到了所有已确认发明的1/3以上。
Machine learning uses computer algorithms to teach machines to make independent decisions by learning from earlier or existing behavior.
机器学习使用计算机算法教机器通过早期或既有行为来做出独立决策。
Patent requests for machine learning activities grew on average by 28 percent a year between 2013 and 2016, the study found. It also showed that 26 of the top 30 AI patent requests came from businesses. Universities or public research organizations made up the rest.
该研究发现，2013年到2016年之间，机器学习活动的专利申请平均每年增长28%。研究还显示，排名前30的人工智能专利申请有26项来自企业，剩下的来自大学或公共研究组织。
The study found that U.S. technology company IBM had by far the largest number of AI-related patents, with 8,920. Next came U.S.-based Microsoft Corporation, with over 5,900.
研究发现，美国IBM科技公司迄今拥有最多的人工智能相关专利，达到了8920项，美国微软公司以超过5900项专利排名其次。
At number three was Japan's Toshiba Corporation. Next came South Korea-based Samsung Group and Japan's NEC Group.
排名第三的是日本东芝公司，接下来是韩国三星集团和日本NEC集团。
WIPO reported that China had 17 of the top 20 academic organizations filing for AI-related patents. It noted China was especially strong in the fast-growing area of "deep learning." This is a machine learning method that includes speech and facial recognition systems.
世界知识产权组织报告称，申请人工智能专利排名前20的学术机构中，中国占到了17家。该组织指出，中国在快速发展的“深度学习”领域尤为强大。“深度学习”是一种机器学习技术，包括语言和面部识别系统。
The report said that deep learning methods increased from just 118 patent requests in 2013 to nearly 2,400 in 2016.
报告称，深度学习技术从2013年的118项专利申请发展到了2016年的近2400项。
Another kind of machine learning, called neural networks, is also "revolutionizing" AI, the report said. A neural network is a computer system built to simulate, or act like, the human brain. Patent filings for neural networks grew at a rate of 46 percent from 2013 to 2016, reaching 6,506, the study found.
该报告称，另一项被称为“神经网络”的机器学习也“正在革新”人工智能。神经网络是一种用于模拟人类大脑运作的计算机系统。研究发现，从2013年到2016年，神经网络的专利申请量以46%的速度增长，达到了6505项。
The single most popular AI technology identified in the report was computer vision. It was listed in 49 percent of all AI-related patents, the study found. Computer vision is used in image recognition systems and also in self-driving technologies.
该研究发现，报告中确定的最受欢迎的人工智能技术是计算机视觉，它被列入了49%的人工智能相关专利中。计算机视觉用于图像识别系统以及自动驾驶技术。
Francis Gurry is director of WIPO. He said the study provides clear evidence that AI technologies are growing at a faster rate than ever and will continue to do so.
弗朗西斯·高锐（Francis Gurry）是世界知识产权组织的总干事。他说，该研究明确证明人工智能技术的发展速度超出以往，并将会持续下去。
The result, Gurry said, will be many new AI-based methods and products that can change lives across the world. Such technologies will also "shape future human interaction with the machines we created," he added.
高锐表示，结果就是会出现很多基于人工智能的技术和产品，它们可以改变世界各地的生活。他补充说，这类技术还将“塑造未来人类与我们创造的机器的互动。”
I'm Kelly Jean Kelly.
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