China’s economic powerhouse seeks AI, humanoid robotics, low-altitude economy upgrade
- Shanghai will look to attract AI companies, build a humanoid robot manufacturing innovation centre and test low-altitude industrial logistics by 2027
China’s economic powerhouse of Shanghai would focus on artificial intelligence (AI), humanoid robotics and the low-altitude economy in efforts to upgrade services for its industrial producers amid the country’s overall transition towards technology-driven growth.
In a three-year action plan released on Thursday, the Shanghai municipal government vowed to attract more than 100 AI companies, build a national humanoid robot manufacturing innovation centre and test low-altitude industrial logistics in its suburbs by 2027.
The emerging sectors are intended to strengthen industrial services – a form of producer services – which, in contrast to consumer services, mainly target businesses and are regarded as a major shortcoming in the Chinese economy.
Shanghai sees industrial services as “a key link in promoting new industrialisation and cultivating new quality productive force”, according to the plan.
Surrounding the strategic sectors, the business centre of the world’s second-largest economy is aiming to cultivate 50 platform enterprises with revenue of more than 1 billion yuan (US$138 million) and “outstanding” service capabilities, including more than five unicorn firms “with international influence”, it said.
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Inside a Chinese factory that makes humanoid robots with enhanced facial movements
Pledging to build a batch of first-class AI companies, the plan emphasised the application of large AI models in drug screening, molecular structure prediction and pharmaceutical testing.
