The People's Bank of China Embeds AI in Legal Tender: First Set of AI Coins to Be Issued in September

Watch Vision Beating AI News: The People's Bank of China will issue the "Future of Science and Technology (Artificial Intelligence)" gold and silver commemorative coins, a set of 3 coins, including 1 gold coin and 2 silver coins, all of which are legal tender. The gold coin weighs 5 grams and is 18 mm square, featuring a chip, brain-shaped circuit, and elements such as 0 and 1 on the back. The two silver coins weigh 15 grams each and are designed with elements including a human face, circuit, spiral grid, as well as a key and AI symbol.

The face value of the gold coin is 80 yuan, with a maximum issuance of 10,000 pieces; the face value of the two silver coins is 5 yuan each, with a maximum issuance of 20,000 pieces. The face value here does not represent the selling price. The face value of precious metal commemorative coins is mainly used to indicate their legal tender status, while the actual selling price depends on factors such as the cost of gold and silver materials and production.

When collecting coin design drafts in March this year, the organizers explicitly allowed designers to use AI tools to assist in creation but prohibited direct submission of AI-generated content. At that time, the three directions set for the three coins were artificial intelligence basic research, technology for good, and the application of "AI+" in various industries.