Deep Read Government Work Report | Exclusive Interview with Jiang Qiping: Intelligent Economy is a Complete Economic System with AI as the Core, Cannot Be Simply Understood as "Artificial Intelligence + Certain Industry"

Everyday Economic News Reporter | Zhang Rui Everyday Economic News Editor | Du Yu

On March 5th, the Fourth Session of the 14th National People’s Congress opened. Premier Li Qiang clarified the government work tasks for 2026 in the government work report.

The report proposed accelerating the cultivation and expansion of new drivers of growth. It emphasized focusing on the real economy, developing new quality productivity according to local conditions, and building a modern industrial system.

Regarding the cultivation and expansion of emerging and future industries, the report pointed out the implementation of industrial innovation projects, encouraging central and state-owned enterprises to lead the opening of application scenarios, and creating new pillar industries such as integrated circuits, aerospace, biomedicine, and low-altitude economy. It also called for establishing mechanisms for future industry investment growth and risk sharing, and fostering the development of future energy, quantum technology, embodied intelligence, brain-computer interfaces, 6G, and other future industries.

In building new forms of intelligent economy, the report mentioned deepening and expanding “AI+” initiatives, promoting the rapid adoption of next-generation intelligent terminals and agents, and encouraging large-scale commercialization of AI in key industries. It also aims to cultivate new business models and formats rooted in intelligence. Support will be given to the construction of open-source AI communities and the prosperity of open-source ecosystems. New infrastructure projects such as ultra-large-scale intelligent computing clusters and computing-electrical synergy will be implemented, along with strengthening nationwide integrated computing power monitoring and dispatching, and supporting the development of public clouds. The development of satellite internet will also be accelerated.

Notably, “new forms of intelligent economy,” “future energy,” and “brain-computer interfaces” are all mentioned for the first time in the government work report. What signals does this send? What deeper implications are behind it? Which fields will be the first to realize large-scale commercialization of AI?

The Daily Economic News interviewed Jiang Qiping, former director of the Information Technology Research Center at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and deputy director of the Academic Committee of the Chinese Society of Management Science, for insights.

Jiang Qiping, Former Director of the Information Technology Research Center at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Deputy Director of the Academic Committee of the Chinese Society of Management Science (Image source: provided by interviewee)

Dual Challenges of Technology and Economy Make Accelerating Future Energy Development Crucial

NBD: The report mentions cultivating future industries such as future energy, quantum technology, embodied intelligence, brain-computer interfaces, and 6G. Compared to last year’s report, “future energy” and “brain-computer interfaces” are mentioned for the first time. What is the deeper significance behind this?

Jiang Qiping: With rapid technological development, new industries are emerging, which is a feature of this year.

The inclusion of future energy in the government work report reflects, on one hand, the global prominence of the contradiction between computing power and electricity supply. Although China’s situation is better than the US, the demand for pre-computed power is still expected to explode this year, making energy supply a critical issue.

On the other hand, changing international circumstances and pressures on the real economy—such as US and Israeli military actions against Iran affecting oil supplies—highlight the importance of energy security. Given the dual technological and economic challenges, finding alternative energy sources and accelerating the development and utilization of future energy are very important and must be prioritized.

Currently, embodied intelligence is a key direction in AI development, and brain-computer interfaces are a promising area. As a future industry, it has strong support, broad application prospects, and significant driving potential. It’s not just an interface but indicates the future integration of machines and humans.

Overall, including future energy and brain-computer interfaces in the government work report aims to keep pace with the times, address practical issues, and seize industrial development opportunities.

Smart Economy: Emphasizing the Integration of Technology and Application for Real Results

NBD: Compared to last year’s report which emphasized “stimulating innovation vitality in the digital economy,” this year’s government work report first proposes “building new forms of smart economy.” Moving from “digital economy” to “smart economy,” what signals does this send?

Jiang Qiping: I believe that the first mention of “building new forms of smart economy” in this year’s report is a very important signal. From an industrial development perspective, it marks a significant shift from digitalization to intelligence, emphasizing that the integration of technology and application must produce tangible results.

First, our previous initiatives like “data elements” and “AI+” differ markedly from the US development path. We focus more on integrating with the real economy, developing the real economy, and leveraging China’s market advantages. While the US has advanced AI, it often faces a disconnect with the real economy; whether this constitutes a true “smart economy” is debatable. We consider both technological trends and the close integration with economic forms.

Second, “smart economy” should not be simply understood as “AI plus some industry.” It involves AI as the core of the entire economic system—a complete ecosystem—not just a technology. This means it will be deeply linked with data, computing power, and the energy industry, forming an end-to-end, all-scenario intelligent system. Similar to the concept of “data element fields,” it emphasizes large-scale, integrated development from points to surfaces, rather than isolated points.

Third, developing a smart economy imposes new requirements on infrastructure. Coordinated development of computing power and electricity is a global issue. China has certain advantages here and needs to further leverage them, laying a solid foundation. Projects like “East Data West Computing” and unique computing networks help optimize national resource allocation, translating into improved total factor productivity through resource optimization. Additionally, the rapid development of low-earth orbit satellites and satellite internet will enable a comprehensive space-ground network, supporting applications like smart agriculture, drone logistics, and flying cars.

Fourth, a smart economy will form four major ecological pillars: smart economy, green economy, bio-economy, and aerospace economy, which will develop in synergy. The latter three will provide application scenarios, creating a virtuous cycle.

Fifth, the development of a smart economy requires new infrastructure. The synergy of computing power and electricity is a global challenge, but China has advantages that should be further exploited. Initiatives like “East Data West Computing” and dedicated computing networks will help optimize resource distribution and enhance technological innovation. The rapid growth of low-earth orbit satellites and satellite internet will also support the construction of an integrated space-ground communication network, enabling applications like smart agriculture, drone logistics, and flying cars.

Sixth, a smart economy will establish four major ecosystems: smart economy, green economy, bio-economy, and aerospace economy, which will develop collaboratively, providing diverse application scenarios.

Seventh, it emphasizes building a market主体 system, developing in an ecosystem manner, fostering integration among large, medium, and small enterprises, and creating an intelligent and industrial ecosystem with both core technologies and widespread applications—not merely increasing the number of enterprises.

Furthermore, unlike the past digitalization focus on technology, the smart economy emphasizes demand-driven, scenario-based development closely tied to the real economy, people’s livelihoods, and industrial needs, while also fulfilling national strategic missions.

Overall, the smart economy is becoming increasingly integrated into daily life and production, moving from a distant concept to a close partnership with human activities. I believe this is the key significance of proposing to “build new forms of smart economy.”

Vertical Application Markets Will Lead the Commercialization and Large-Scale Deployment of AI

NBD: The report mentions deepening and expanding “AI+” initiatives, promoting the rapid adoption of next-generation intelligent terminals and agents, and pushing for large-scale commercialization of AI in key industries, as well as cultivating new business models rooted in intelligence. Which fields do you think will be the first to achieve large-scale commercialization of AI?

Jiang Qiping: The mention of commercialization and scale in the government work report is a very positive expectation, reflecting our high regard for market-driven development of high-tech and AI itself. It’s crucial to establish a positive feedback loop between technology and market application to ensure sustainable development and avoid disjointed progress.

Currently, China is better positioned than the US in this regard. Specifically, I believe vertical application markets will be the first to realize commercialization and large-scale deployment. China, as a manufacturing powerhouse with a complete industrial chain and vast market, has a significant advantage in this area, making the main practical applications of AI in China.

For example, AI in agriculture has already entered commercialization and scale. Drones are widely used for spraying pesticides, sowing, and crop protection, demonstrating AI’s role. Agriculture has enormous potential; the government’s rural revitalization efforts, including increasing production and income, present huge opportunities for AI to boost farmers’ earnings and expand commercial services.

Other sectors still in pilot or experimental stages may see breakthroughs once the technology matures. For instance, autonomous driving is progressing rapidly, with some proposing to upgrade from L2 to L4, and many regions conducting pilots. The technology is nearing maturity, and the next step is commercial deployment and scaling. Flying cars are also on the verge of breakthroughs, with successful tests indicating feasibility. Once mature, these fields could see rapid explosive growth.

Additionally, humanoid robots have broad application scenarios—not only in entertainment but also in manufacturing, healthcare, and education—offering significant potential for commercial scale-up.