China’s commerce ministry is reportedly targeting broader use of AI across the country’s consumer economy.
The ministry went on to unveil 17 policy measures intended to push the technology beyond industrial applications.
State broadcaster CCTV reported the ministry will use the measures to embed AI into households and businesses, viewing the technology as a lever for economic stimulus.
As part of the plan, it is apparently looking at a fundamental shift in how consumer electronics are designed and sold.
The way devices operate is also a target, moving from functional tools towards AI-integrated systems.
Advancing humanoid robotics in the home is high on the agenda, and the sector has already gained government and private investment.
Chinese players including Unitree and Ubtech were cited as front-runners in the market. They are vying to establish themselves commercially in industrial and consumer spaces.
Structural issues
On the services side, China wants to expand AI’s presence in retail services to public and personal areas.
CCTV cited comments from Lin Jian, deputy director of the international trade cooperation institute at the ministry of commerce, who said the measures are designed to solve structural issues within the country’s services sector.
These include addressing challenges around high labour costs and poor standardisation in service consumption, added Lin.
Beijing is stepping up its AI plans, with Bloomberg reporting earlier this month the government is planning to invest $295 billion over the next five years to build out data centres in the country.
Source: Mobile World Live
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Source: Tahawul Tech