Zhang Guoqing conducts research in Shandong: Promoting AI to empower industry at a deeper level

Deputy Prime Minister Zhang Guoqing of the State Council, during an investigation in Qingdao, Shandong, recently, said that efforts should be made to advance deep enablement of artificial intelligence (AI) across the entire chain of industrial design, pilot testing, production, operations, and other areas; to continue to strongly support the development of enterprises such as specialized and innovative “little giants,” “gazelle” type firms, and single-product champions, forming cluster effects that facilitate integrated development among large, medium, and small enterprises.

Xinhua News Agency, citing Zhang Guoqing, said that efforts should be made to speed up the development of advanced manufacturing industry clusters and promote the deep integration of technological innovation and industrial innovation. Greater efforts should be devoted to tackling original innovation and key core technologies and key enabling technologies, and to solidify the technological foundation. Efforts should be made to promote digital and intelligent upgrades of industry clusters and support upstream and downstream enterprises in carrying out coordinated digital transformation.

Zhang Guoqing said: “Accelerate the development of intelligent manufacturing standard frameworks and the promotion and application of independently controllable industrial software.”

In addition, efforts should be made to strengthen the innovation principal role of state-owned enterprises, carry out technology campaigns in line with national strategic needs, increase the proportion of funding for basic research, and adhere to coordinated advancement in the layout of hardware, software, standards, and patents, so as to accelerate the cultivation, expansion, and open sharing of application scenarios.

During his investigation in Qingdao, Zhang Guoqing visited industry companies including intelligent home appliances, rail transit, marine engineering equipment, and instruments and meters, to gain a detailed understanding of the companies’ production and operations, R&D innovation, transformation and upgrading, and cluster development, among other things.