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Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a new focal point of global competition and a key driver of economic growth, while the “AI Plus” initiative is rapidly reshaping national competitive advantages. An analysis of the 15th Five-Year Plan outlines across 31 provinces indicates that “artificial intelligence” appears more than 1,400 times. Based on their respective resource endowments, different regions are pursuing a dual-track approach that combines technological innovation with application enablement, while following differentiated development paths that advance both capability building and application expansion. These efforts are injecting new digital and intelligent momentum into the cultivation of new quality productive forces and the development of a modern industrial system.

In strengthening the foundations for digital and intelligent development, regions across China are rolling out systematic plans centered on three core capabilities: computing power, algorithms and data. 23 provinces are seeking to strengthen or optimize computing infrastructure, 17 are focusing on model and algorithm innovation, and 27 are planning to develop high-quality datasets.

Computing power is the foundation of AI. In terms of computing infrastructure development, 10 provinces, including Anhui and Jilin, have proposed either deepening implementation of or aligning with China’s “East Data, West Computing” strategy. Anhui plans to strengthen the aggregation capacity of the Wuhu data center cluster within the Yangtze River Delta hub of the national integrated computing network under the “East Data, West Computing” framework, while also exploring a “computing power enclave” model. 17 provinces have also identified green and low-carbon development as a guiding principle for computing infrastructure. Regions including Ningxia and Chongqing have set a binding target requiring renewable energy to account for at least 80% of the power supply for newly built computing infrastructure.

Algorithms and models are widely regarded as the “core” of AI. Across China, model development is following a dual-track approach combining general-purpose large models with industry-specific vertical models. Nine provinces, including Anhui, Guangdong and Jiangsu, are supporting the development of general-purpose large models while focusing on building vertical models tailored to their local industrial strengths.

Without high-quality data, it is difficult to train advanced AI models. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, 27 provinces have identified the development of high-quality datasets as a foundation for model development and digital and intelligent transformation across industries. For example, Fujian plans to build a series of cross-regional and cross-departmental high-quality AI datasets in key areas such as government affairs, healthcare, maritime affairs, and the low-altitude economy. Ningxia will develop pilot projects for high-quality datasets in areas including the wine industry and China-Arab bilingual corpora, aiming to establish more than 80 high-quality datasets.

The full implementation of the “AI Plus” initiative is seen as a key step in advancing the development of a modern industrial system and accelerating the growth of new quality productive forces. Focusing on the rollout of the initiative, 18 provinces have made further arrangements in their 15th Five-Year Plan outlines across six key areas: science and technology, industrial development, consumption upgrading, public wellbeing, governance capacity, and global cooperation. Drawing on local resource strengths, regions are also seeking to develop distinctive “AI Plus” industries.

For example, in AI-enabled industrial development, Anhui Province, which has a strong competitive edge in the new energy vehicle sector, will develop a highly reliable world-class foundation model for intelligent connected new energy vehicles, and build a public service platform for intelligent robots integrating component manufacturing, scenario-based training and product testing; In the area of AI-enabled consumption upgrading, Henan Province, which is rich in cultural and tourism resources, will encourage tourist attractions, resort areas, leisure districts, industrial heritage sites and museums to develop immersive AI-powered smart tourism experiences.

Zhang Kailin, Deputy Director of the Department of Innovation and High-Tech Development at the National Development and Reform Commission, said that the development of the “AI Plus” initiative should be tailored to local conditions. He noted that regions should be encouraged to set development priorities based on their geographical advantages, resource endowments and industrial foundations, in order to foster differentiated development paths with distinct features, practical results and complementary strengths, while firmly avoiding disorderly competition and blind expansion.

Source: People’s Daily