China vows to curb tech bubbles, keep AI risks in check
The guidelines warned against blind investment and excessive expansion into emerging sectors
China has announced stricter controls over its rapid advancement into cutting-edge technology, aiming to prevent investment bubbles while ensuring artificial intelligence remains "safe, reliable and controllable," according to policy guidelines released on Friday. Beijing's push for high-tech manufacturing and strategic industries to foster self-sufficiency in the face of US competition has prompted the guidelines, which stress against reckless investment and unchecked growth in emerging sectors.
President Xi Jinping introduced the term "new productive forces" in 2023, highlighting scientific research, technological advancements, and industrial expansion throughout China's manufacturing sector. The guidelines outline efforts to achieve breakthroughs in AI theory and core technologies, bolster the supply of computing power, algorithms, and data, and establish national pilot facilities for industrial AI applications.
Furthermore, they call for robust technology monitoring, risk-warning, and emergency-response mechanisms to maintain AI's safety, reliability, and controllability. China will fully execute its "AI Plus" program, leveraging AI to revamp traditional sectors and accelerate the release of intelligent products, such as connected electric vehicles, AI-enabled smartphones and computers, and humanoid robots.
The guidelines also stress the importance of "original and disruptive" innovation in core technologies and the acceleration of landmark product development and deployment through China's state-led "new nationwide system." Officials are urged to prioritize the real economy and avert bubbles, industrial hollowing-out, reckless investment, and "swarm-like" rushes into high-tech fields.
China will "strictly prohibit the illegal or improper misuse of policies under the guise of developing new productive forces," and those responsible for substantial losses due to reckless investment will face accountability measures. The document also emphasizes the healthy and orderly growth of the low-altitude economy, encompassing businesses revolving around civilian drones, air taxis, small aircraft, and related services, while ensuring safety.
Written by urgent.news from The Business Times - Companies & Markets's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
