In a significant move to bring order and transparency to the rapidly expanding artificial intelligence hardware market, the Chinese mainland has introduced a comprehensive new national standard for grading the intelligence of AI terminals. Released this Friday, the initiative is a joint effort by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the State Administration for Market Regulation, and the Ministry of Commerce.
The new standard, designated as GB/Z 177-2026, aims to establish a unified benchmarking system. By creating a clear set of metrics, the government seeks to standardize how terminal intelligence is evaluated, drive the iteration and upgrading of products, and ultimately safeguard the consumption experience for users navigating a volatile tech landscape.
The "2+N" Framework
To ensure industry-wide consistency, the standard employs a sophisticated "2+N" framework. This structure is designed to balance broad foundational requirements with the specific needs of diverse hardware categories.
The "2" refers to two cornerstone standards that define the very concept of intelligence. These foundational pillars establish the grading criteria and outline the testing methodologies, serving as the essential baseline. They answer critical industry questions: what exactly defines an AI terminal, how should its intelligence be graded, and how can those grades be verified?
The "N" represents the specific, tailored standards for various product lines. In the initial rollout, the framework covers seven major terminal categories:
- n
- Mobile phones
- Computers
- Televisions
- Smart glasses
- Vehicle cockpits
- Smart speakers
- Earphones
For business professionals and investors, this standardization represents a pivotal shift toward a more mature AI ecosystem in the Chinese mainland. By reducing ambiguity in product capabilities, the GB/Z 177-2026 standard is expected to foster healthier competition and provide a clearer roadmap for hardware developers aiming to lead the next wave of AI integration.
Reference(s):
China unveils new national standards for AI terminal grading
cgtn.com
