Blueprint to Action Chinas Path to AI-Powered Industry Transformation 2025

China’s national strategy and governance approach 1 China’s three-tiered AI strategy: a strategic roadmap, adaptive regulations and multilevel implementation. China has demonstrated a clear commitment to long-term goals in the AI sector through top-level planning. The Next Generation AI Development Plan (2017)6 details a three-phase strategy for advancing AI and its applications in the country. To achieve its AI goals, the Chinese government has also issued guidelines – such as Accelerating Scenario Innovation to Promote High-Level Applications of AI for High-Quality Economic Development (2022) – which emphasize the integration of AI technologies across sectors to facilitate sustainable economic growth.7 To further develop the country’s AI standards framework, the Guidelines for the Construction of a Comprehensive Standardization System for the National Artificial Intelligence Industry (2024) were introduced.8 These guidelines aim to strengthen the standardization system for AI by establishing over 50 new national and industry standards.1.1 Strategic roadmap for AI development China’s strategic AI development plan FIGURE 3 Step 1 2020Step 2 2025Step 3 2030 – AI technology and applications are synchronized with the world's advanced levels – The AI industry is a new key driver of economic growth – The application of AI technology provides a new way to improve people's livelihoods– Major advancements to be made in the foundational theories of AI – AI becomes a key driver of industrial and economic transformation in China – Solid progress to be made in advancing the development of an intelligent society– AI theories, technologies and applications to reach global-leading level, making China a key hub for global AI innovation. – The breadth and depth of AI applications to be significantly expanded Source: World Economic Forum and Accenture Research. Blueprint to Action: China’s Path to AI-Powered Industry Transformation 8