AI Plus conducive to driving industrial upgrading

Editor's note: China has issued guidelines for the implementation of the AI Plus initiative, marking the beginning of a new phase in the country's artificial intelligence development as the core driver of empowerment. What does AI Plus mean and how can the public and enterprises benefit from this initiative? Chen Jingjing, a senior engineer of China Internet Network Information Center, spoke with China.org.cn on these issues. Below are excerpts from the interview. The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.

Artificial Intelligence Plus refers to the broad and deep integration of AI with various industries and sectors of the economy and society. In the future, AI will permeate every corner of daily life just like water and electricity, while equipping every industry with an "intelligent brain" that enables machines to "think" and "act".

The deep integration of AI with the real economy is at a critical juncture. While there are areas that require improvement to promote the AI Plus initiative, the overall outlook is optimistic, with the opportunities far outweighing the challenges. It is necessary to acknowledge the bottlenecks in AI development, including difficulties in cutting-edge technologies, high cost of intelligent transformation in traditional industries, shortage of specialized talent, persistence of data silos and lack of standards.

To address these issues, the guidelines suggest the strengthening of fundamental research and breakthroughs in core technologies, establishing national pilot bases for AI applications, improving standards and legal frameworks and increasing fiscal support. With the joint efforts of the government and enterprises, these measures are expected to gradually overcome the challenges and ensure the implementation of the AI Plus initiative.

To achieve tangible results, a collaborative mechanism involving government guidance, market support and social participation must be established. Tackling the "last mile "problem in AI applications requires the development of popular apps to improve the penetration of AI. For individuals, participation in the AI Plus initiative can begin through some simple applications. Subscribers of popular platforms such as Douyin and WeChat use AI functions in content creation and services, thereby gradually building digital literacy through use.

One big problem for the industry is the generative AI divide, where enterprises invest heavily in generative AI without achieving expected returns. To prevent the emergence of an AI divide, priority should be given to high-return scenarios, such as financial automation and supply chain forecasting, while avoiding superficial applications. For example, using AI to generate equipment manuals that improve maintenance efficiency is a practical and value-driven approach.

To ensure that AI benefits are widely shared, AI services should be increased so that the technology can serve the needs of people in a better way. The AI Plus initiative has profound strategic significance for advancing Chinese modernization. It is a crucial lever for achieving high-quality development and a vital step in implementing the innovation-driven development strategy, accelerating the building of a powerful science and technology nation and developing a digital China.

Economically, the AI Plus initiative will drive industrial upgrading, enhance total factor productivity and foster new engines of growth. In social governance, it will strengthen scientific decision-making and governance capacity to help modernize China's governance system. In the livelihood sphere, it will improve public services in healthcare, education and elderly care, helping to meet people's aspirations for a better life.

By comprehensively advancing the AI Plus initiative, China will inject momentum into its modernization drive and make solid progress toward realizing the Second Centenary Goal of rejuvenating the nation and transforming it into a modern socialist country.