context: NPF (new productive forces) have become a policy focus after Xi Jinping 习近平 introduced the concept in Heilongjiang in September 2023. Smart manufacturing, powered by AI (artificial intelligence), is the key to developing NPF, according to a January 2024 State Council executive meeting. SOEs (state-owned enterprises) have committed to focus on tech innovation in 2024, and are now called to take on more responsibility in the development of AI.
SOEs (state-owned enterprises) should play a more significant role in AI (artificial intelligence) development, argues Zhang Yuzhuo 张玉卓 SASAC (State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission) director at a meeting on AI enabling industry rejuvenation. It is the responsibility of SOEs to foster NPF (new productive forces) and promote high-quality development, he says.
Ten SOEs signed a proposal at the meeting, pledging to take the initiative to open up AI application scenarios to society.
In order to position the development of AI in a more salient position, SASAC asks SOES to focus on
- building more intelligent computing centres
- improving innovation strategies
- better talent policies
- building AI industrial clusters
- applying AI to traditional industries
- establishing an intelligent economy that is data-driven and centres around human-machine collaboration, cross-industry integration, co-creation and sharing
As part of an AI special action, SASAC calls on SOEs to
- follow the direction of demand
- empower key industries
- build industrial multi-modal high-quality data sets
- create an industrial ecology enabled by large models
E Weinan 鄂维南 Chinese Academy of Sciences academician was invited to lecture on the current development status of AI.