(Yicai Global) Nov. 23 -- An artificial intelligence (AI) robot dubbed Smart Doctor Assistant that was developed by a Chinese lab has become the world's first such robot to pass a comprehensive written examination for clinical doctors, tech media outlet Communication Information News reported yesterday.

It is not allowed to practice as a doctor, but the robot can assist in medical diagnosis and provide medical advice.

The robot was co-developed by the Tsinghua-Iflytek Joint Laboratory, set up by world-renowned university Tsinghua University and AI firm Iflytek Co. [SHE:002230], in February this year.

Chinese Internet companies such as Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. [NYSE:BABA], Tencent Holdings Ltd. [HKG:0700] and Baidu Inc. [NASDAQ:BIDU] have been investing in the research of AI medical technologies, and a batch of surgical robot makers have also emerged in the country.