Key Points
- The MIIT (Gōngyè hé Xìnxīhuà Bù 工业和信息化部) is driving the integration of Artificial Intelligence into Manufacturing through “Industrial Intelligent Agents” as a strategic imperative for China’s “New Industrialization” (Xīnxíng Gōngyèhuà 新型工业化).
- Key focus areas include supercharging industrial upgrades with digital, networked, and intelligent transformation, including scaling the Industrial Internet (Gōngyè Hùliánwǎng 工业互联网) and implementing “Artificial Intelligence + Manufacturing” (Réngōng Zhìnéng + Zhìzào 人工智能+制造).
- The plan involves beefing up the supply side by pouring resources into core tech R&D like industrial software and smart sensors (Zhìnéng Chuángǎnqì 智能传感器), building high-quality industrial datasets, and specifically leveraging industrial intelligent agents.
- Initiatives will empower businesses through leading enterprises driving supply chain transformation and focused digitalization actions for SMEs (“hundred city” pilot programs).
- Laying the groundwork includes standardizing innovation, cultivating industry-tech talent, expanding diverse investment channels, and fostering a pro-innovation environment with policies like insurance compensation for “first-of-kind” equipment.
Big news coming out of China’s tech scene – the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) is doubling down on integrating Artificial Intelligence into Manufacturing, and they’re bringing out the big guns with “Industrial Intelligent Agents.”
This is a major signal for anyone watching China’s industrial and tech landscape.
On June 6, Li Lecheng (Lǐ Lèchéng 李乐成), who wears two big hats as Party Secretary and Minister of the MIIT (Gōngyè hé Xìnxīhuà Bù 工业和信息化部) and Head of the Ministry’s Integration of Informatization and Industrialization (Liǎnghuà Rónghé 两化融合) Working Group, led a pivotal meeting.
They weren’t just chatting; they were diving deep into General Secretary Xi Jinping’s directives, reviewing the MIIT’s 2025 game plan for this integration, and most importantly, strategizing how to supercharge industrial growth with tech.
Fusing Tech and Industry: The Push for “New Industrialization”
The core message from the meeting?
The deep fusion of informatization (think data, digital tech) and industrialization (good ol’ making stuff) isn’t just a nice-to-have.
It’s a strategic imperative for China’s ambitious “New Industrialization” (Xīnxíng Gōngyèhuà 新型工业化) drive.
The MIIT is making it clear: this isn’t just about minor tweaks.
They’re aiming to:
- Accurately grasp the fresh meaning and modern demands of this tech-industry blend.
- Shoulder the political responsibility to make this deep integration happen.
- Think bigger, be bolder, and ensure this integration mindset permeates every corner of industrial and IT policy.
- Drive innovation and development by weaving these threads together.
- Forge new momentum and advantages for China’s economic engine.
- Provide rock-solid support for “new quality productive forces” – that’s code for a smarter, more efficient, tech-driven economy.
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The MIIT’s Game Plan: Key Moves to Watch for AI-Powered Manufacturing
So, how’s the MIIT planning to pull this off?
They’re focusing on key areas with a spirit of reform and innovation.
Here’s the breakdown for investors, founders, and tech enthusiasts:
1. Supercharging Upgrades: Digital, Networked, Intelligent Transformation
This is all about pushing industries into the future, fast.
- Digital Transformation on Steroids: Rolling out digital transformation plans for key industries. Think scenario-specific and industry-mapped transitions for manufacturing. No more one-size-fits-all.
- Scaling the Industrial Internet (Gōngyè Hùliánwǎng 工业互联网): This isn’t just talk. They’re strengthening the five core pillars: network, identification, platform, data, and security. This is the backbone for smart factories.
- “Artificial Intelligence + Manufacturing” (Réngōng Zhìnéng + Zhìzào 人工智能+制造) in Action: This is a direct call to action. The goal? Intelligent upgrades for key industries and creating an “upgraded version” of intelligent manufacturing. Get ready for smarter production lines.
2. Beefing Up Supply: Better Software and Hardware for AI Integration
You can’t build a smart industry without the right tools.
- Core Tech R&D: Pouring resources into critical areas like industrial software and smart sensors (Zhìnéng Chuángǎnqì 智能传感器). These are the brains and nerves of modern manufacturing.
- High-Quality Industrial Datasets: Building these datasets is crucial. Why? They’re the fuel for AI industrial applications. Better data means smarter AI.
- Accessible Tech for All: Boosting support for “small, quick, light, and accurate” digital products and low-cost, general-purpose digital tools. This helps SMEs get in on the action.
- AI with Industrial Intelligent Agents: This is a hot one. Deepening AI application in industry by specifically leveraging industrial intelligent agents. This will drive innovation in industrial datasets and large models tailored for industry.
3. Empowering Businesses: Sparking Internal Change and Digital Adoption
It’s not just top-down; businesses need to be on board and driving the change.
- Leading by Example: Leveraging big-name enterprises to pull their entire supply chain (upstream and downstream) into a “chain-like” transformation. Ripples, not just drops.
- SME Digitalization Focus: Special actions to get small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) transforming digitally, with “hundred city” pilot programs to test and scale.
- Building a Support System: Improving the digital service ecosystem and cultivating service providers who truly get both the industry and the tech.
4. Laying the Groundwork: Resources, Standards, and Talent for Industrial AI
Solid foundations are key for long-term success.
- Standardizing Innovation: Turning the wins from this tech-industry integration into actual standards. This means supporting companies in researching, implementing, and applying these new benchmarks.
- Talent, Talent, Talent: Unblocking the pipeline for cultivating, attracting, retaining, and using talent. They’re aiming for a multi-level, composite talent team – people who know tech AND industry.
- Show Me the Money: Expanding diverse investment and financing channels. Crucially, increasing investment in the weaker links of this integration push.
- Standardizing Innovation
- Cultivating Industry-Tech Talent
- Expanding Diverse Investment Channels
5. Fostering a Pro-Innovation Vibe and Global Collaboration
Culture matters.
They want an environment where integration-led innovation thrives.
- Highlighting Success: Showcasing benchmarks and leaders in this integration to inspire others.
- De-risking Innovation: Using insurance compensation policies for “first-of-kind” equipment, “first batches,” and “first versions.” This encourages companies to take the plunge with new tech.
- Global Collaboration: Expanding space for foreign cooperation and optimizing the overall development ecosystem for informatization and industrialization.
This ambitious plan, driven by the MIIT, underscores China’s commitment to leveraging Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing and solidifying its position as a global industrial powerhouse through sophisticated strategies like deploying Industrial Intelligent Agents.
Key figures from relevant MIIT departments and affiliated units were also present at this significant meeting.
References
- MIIT Issues Three Implementation Plans for Digital Transformation of Manufacturing – Ministry of Industry and Information Technology
- China advances new industrialization with optimized industrial structure – State Council of the People’s Republic of China
- China to propel deeper integration of AI and manufacturing – China Daily
