Chinese Premier Li Qiang called for deeper integration of artificial intelligence and manufacturing during a visit to Shanghai, as Beijing seeks to expand advanced manufacturing and emerging industries amid intensifying global technology competition.
“[We] should combine China’s strengths in manufacturing and digital technologies,” Li said during his visit to an AI application testing base in the city on Tuesday, Xinhua reported.
He called for the creation of more manufacturing service platforms, covering areas such as industrial design, pilot testing and intelligent maintenance, to help companies – particularly small and medium-sized firms – upgrade operations more efficiently and at lower cost.
Li’s comments followed President Xi Jinping’s call last week to make China’s supply chains more resilient and self-sufficient while accelerating the development of a modern industrial system underpinned by advanced manufacturing.