China Sets Ambitious AI Goal Of 70 Percent Adoption By 2027
China is pursuing one of the most aggressive national AI strategies in the world, aiming for 70 percent of its population to use AI-powered devices and applications by 2027.
The State Council has outlined plans for the next generation of intelligent terminals, smart agents, and other applications to become widely accessible, positioning the country for a rapid shift towards an “intelligent economy and society.”
How Will China Achieve AI For Nearly A Billion People
Reaching the 2027 target would mean 980 million Chinese citizens regularly interacting with AI-driven technology.
The country already sees smartphone penetration at around 70 percent, and authorities are confident that AI adoption will follow a similar trajectory.
By 2030, adoption is expected to rise to 90 percent, with a full transition to an intelligent economy and society by 2035.
The State Council highlighted that AI integration will extend across technology, industry, consumption, governance, social welfare, and international cooperation.
Industrial applications will range from intelligent agricultural machinery and drones to robotics, while service sectors are expected to explore “unmanned service” alongside human work.
China’s Timeline Surpasses Western Benchmarks
The pace set by Beijing outstrips Western initiatives.
The US National AI Initiative Act does not include mandatory usage targets, and the EU’s AI Act focuses on risk management rather than deployment.
Meanwhile, other countries are accelerating their own AI strategies, such as Canada and Taiwan, while Egypt’s “Digital Builders” programme, supported by Microsoft and Amazon, aims to train 100,000 AI professionals by 2030.
Driving AI Through Science And Industry
China plans to accelerate scientific discovery with AI-driven research models and smarter infrastructure for large-scale datasets.
The government encourages enterprises to embed AI into strategic planning, organisational structures, and workflows to foster entirely new industries and intelligent-native businesses.
Shenzhen’s Longgang district reported a 90 percent reduction in administrative processing times after integrating AI solutions from local startup DeepSeek.
Industrial adoption will focus on end-to-end AI implementation, from design and testing to production and operations.
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Agricultural transformation will emphasise intelligent farming tools and automation, while service industries will move towards human–machine collaboration, including intelligent terminals and AI assistants.
Transforming Daily Life And Learning
AI is expected to reshape daily life by improving healthcare, education, and public services.
Authorities plan to introduce intelligent learning assistants, personalised teaching models, and widespread digital health applications to enhance both access and quality.
AI will also play a role in cultural production, elderly care, and urban planning, creating more efficient and connected communities.
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Governance And Safety Measures
The policy recognises the challenges of AI, including opaque models, hallucinations, and algorithmic bias.
It calls for governance frameworks for natural humans, digital personas, and intelligent agents, as well as enhanced public safety applications.
AI will be integrated into city management, rural services, and ecological monitoring, while international collaboration aims to position AI as a global public good for equitable access.
Building AI Infrastructure And Talent
China is focusing on expanding computing power, developing high-quality datasets, and supporting open-source AI ecosystems.
Talent development is a priority, with comprehensive education initiatives, interdisciplinary training, and incentives for retaining skilled professionals.
Policy and financial support will accompany these efforts, including long-term capital investments, standardised regulations, and frameworks to ensure secure and responsible AI deployment.
Can China Lead The Global AI Race?
The country’s strategy aims to blend domestic AI growth with international cooperation.
By promoting AI as an accessible and beneficial tool for global development, Beijing positions itself as an alternative model to Western approaches, emphasising openness, collaboration, and technological self-reliance.
China’s roadmap reflects a sweeping vision: embedding AI into daily life, industry, governance, and global partnerships, while preparing the population and infrastructure for a future dominated by intelligent systems.