As China prepares to implement its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), industry leaders emphasize the strategic imperative to transform domestic artificial intelligence (AI) technologies from functional tools to deeply integrated solutions. Wang Rishun, senior product manager at iFlytek, outlines a roadmap for achieving technological sovereignty through systematic innovation during this critical development phase.
With global AI competition intensifying, China's vast data resources and mature industrial infrastructure position it uniquely to lead application-scale implementation. However, experts acknowledge challenges in foundational research and high-end chip development compared to advanced economies. "We cannot build our house in someone else's yard," Wang stresses, advocating for breakthroughs in core technologies like the domestically developed Spark large model platform that supports 130+ languages.
Four-Pillar Strategy for AI Leadership
1. Tech Innovation: Accelerate R&D in basic algorithms and computing infrastructure 2. Industry Integration: Expand pilot programs in manufacturing, healthcare, and energy sectors 3. Smart Governance: Implement three-tier regulatory framework balancing innovation with security 4. Ecosystem Development: Foster collaboration between policymakers, enterprises, and research institutions
The plan aligns with China's dual objectives of securing technological independence and driving high-quality economic growth. Recent advancements in AI-assisted medical diagnostics and smart manufacturing demonstrate early successes in practical applications. As digital transformation accelerates across industries, the focus now shifts to creating standardized governance models and nurturing homegrown talent pipelines.
Wang concludes: "A thriving AI ecosystem requires coordinated efforts across all societal sectors. This isn't just about technological advancement – it's about shaping the rules of next-generation intelligent systems."
