CHINA'S AMBITIOUS AI STRATEGY: AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT INNOVATION AND GLOBAL IMPACT

Abstract

Over the past decade, China has emerged as a major global actor in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), driven by its strategic ambition to become a world leader in AI innovation by 2030. This ambition is strongly supported by state-led policies and long-term planning, most notably the New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan (2017), which assigns the promotion and governance of AI technologies a central role in national development. China’s AI strategy prioritizes technological self-sufficiency, the establishment of innovation hubs, and the integration of AI across key sectors such as surveillance, healthcare, manufacturing, and smart cities. This study examines the role of innovation hubs in advancing China’s AI ecosystem and enhancing coordination between the state, industry, and research institutions. Furthermore, it highlights China’s comprehensive emphasis on AI as a driver of economic growth, governance efficiency, and public development. Through initiatives such as the Digital Silk Road (DSR), China is exporting AI technologies and governance models, thereby influencing AI adoption, standards, and practices in developing countries and expanding its footprint in the global AI landscape. However, external constraints particularly United States–led restrictions on advanced semiconductors pose significant challenges to China’s AI ambitions and may impede progress in high-end AI development. This research critically explores the complexities of China’s AI strategy by analyzing its policy framework, the impact of domestically developed AI models, and the structural and geopolitical obstacles confronting its pursuit of global AI leadership.