“Intelligent everything”: China’s policy to supercharge AI adoption

“Intelligent everything”: China’s policy to supercharge AI adoption

https://www.ussc.edu.au/intelligent-everything-china-s-policy-to-supercharge-ai-adoption

Publish Date: 2026-01-11 17:44:00

Source Domain: www.ussc.edu.au

• Introduction of “AI Plus” Policy: In August 2025, China’s State Council launched a national policy directive, “AI Plus,” aimed at sector-wide adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) across the country to support economic, industrial, and social growth.

• Ten-Year Roadmap: “AI Plus” is a ten-year plan, extending until 2035, targeting the comprehensive integration of AI-powered technologies in all economic sectors to achieve “socialist modernisation.”

• Historical Context and Ambitious Targets: The plan aims for significant AI integration by 2027, specifically an AI penetration rate of 70%. It draws on China’s experience with previous long-term economic and industrial plans, such as Made in China 2025, which has led to technological advancements in high-tech industries.

• Domestic Semiconductor Ambitions: China is facing major challenges in accessing advanced semiconductor technology necessary for AI, prompting domestic initiatives to develop independent semiconductor capabilities to reduce foreign reliance.

• Global AI Governance and Strategic Influence: China proposes a Global AI Governance Action Plan, which promotes ethical AI development globally while aligning with UN agendas. It signals China’s ambition to establish itself as a leader in global AI governance, offering an alternative to US-driven initiatives and proposing the establishment of a new global AI governance organization.

• Impact on Australia and the Indo-Pacific: Australia needs to navigate its stance on China’s AI development, balancing cooperation possibilities in areas like green energy and climate modelling with concerns over security and dependence on Chinese technology for sensitive infrastructure. It will also need to consider the geopolitical implications of China’s global AI efforts and its proposals for multilateral cooperation.

• Future Cooperation and Strategic Rivalry: Australia is positioned between China and the United States regarding AI technologies, needing to define the technological and governance paths it adopts or allows while balancing security commitments with partnerships and cooperation opportunities.