A Review of the Current Status of AI Research in Handwritten Chinese Character Recognition

School of Chinese Language and Literature, Beijing Normal University, Haidian District, Beijing, China

^* Corresponding author: kyee93@naver.com

Abstract

With the continuous development of artificial intelligence technology, there have been attempts to utilize AI in the field of linguistics. In this context, research and development in AI-based Chinese character recognition technology has spanned 40 years, with its outcomes attracting significant attention. However, in the field of Chinese character recognition, the research into offline handwritten recognition technology is particularly challenging due to the unique characteristics of handwritten Chinese characters. The main issue in current research is the significant decrease in accuracy for characters composed of similar components or characters with similar overall shapes. The focus of research solutions has been on modern mechanical programming and other engineering aspects, while research that integrates the inherent characteristics of Chinese characters themselves has been relatively overlooked. The author believes that combining engineering technology research with a deeper understanding of the nature of Chinese characters can solve many of the current problems. This paper reviews the current state of related domestic and international research to identify areas with significant potential for improvement and progress in research, and finally proposes directions for future research.