The future is AI and humanoid robots, China’s industry minister says, in hi-tech research rivalry with US

China's Industry and Information Technology Minister, Jin Zhuanglong, has expressed his belief in the potential of emerging and future industries to drive the country's growth. In an interview with state broadcaster CCTV, he emphasized the need for more research in 'future industries' such as artificial intelligence (AI). As a top aerospace specialist, Jin sees AI as a catalyst for a new wave of industrialisation, with potential applications spanning across various sectors including industry, manufacturing, and medicine. He also highlighted the significance of humanoid robots and the metaverse as key symbols of a future technological revolution and industrial transformation.

The minister expressed the ministry's support for local governments in implementing pilot projects and formulating industrial policies. With the decline in traditional sources of growth such as property, China is exploring new avenues to expand its economy and counter Western efforts to constrain its hi-tech advancement. This includes a strategic shift in its export sector to focus on new-energy products such as electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, and solar batteries. China is also marking milestones in advanced manufacturing, as evidenced by the delivery of the country's first domestically produced cruise liner, Adora Magic City.

State news agency Xinhua reported this achievement as a testament to the strength of Chinese shipbuilding, in addition to the country's domestically built aircraft carriers and large liquefied natural gas carriers. In the same CCTV interview, Jin expressed his confidence in the continued recovery of the industrial economy this year. He also revealed that the ministry would draft and implement action plans for future industrial development, targeting areas of AI, humanoid robots, the metaverse, and 6G telecommunications. The goal is to map out digital transformation action plans for key industries and areas with AI as a highlight, pushing for AI to empower new industrialisation with the goal of intelligent manufacturing.