Premier Li touts new “AI + manufacturing” formula

Premier Li Qiang's on a mission to make sure that China doesn't miss the next big sci-tech revolution.

On Wednesday, during a visit to Jiangsu province, Li told cadres:

• “[We must] seize the opportunities of the new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation.”

Li's big idea: AI + manufacturing. 

• “The rapid development of large models is driving revolutionary changes in R&D, design, and manufacturing methods.” 
• “[We should] deeply advance AI empowerment, accelerate the widespread adoption of digital equipment, and vigorously promote ‘AI + Manufacturing.’”

To drive home his point, Li visited two leading tech companies:

• Industrial robot maker Inovance
• AI chatbot company AISpeech

Get smart: Beijing is still working out how to best leverage AI for the economy.

• If Li's "AI + manufacturing" formula wins over Xi Jinping and other top leaders, it will pave the way for government incentives and policy support to encourage the manufacturing sector's adoption of AI. 

Watch to watch: Li is now attending the annual World AI Conference in Shanghai.

• Li's comments at the conference will provide clues as to how the government plans to support "AI + manufacturing" and AI development more broadly.