Guangzhou (JLC), February 22, 2024 – The State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) of the State Council held a meeting on February 19 to urge China’s central state-owned enterprises (central SOEs) to promote faster and better development of artificial intelligence (AI), the SASAC said on its website on February 21.
The meeting was attended by Dai Houliang, Chairman of CNPC, and Ma Yongsheng, Chairman of Sinopec Group, the two oil giants confirmed on their respective websites on February 22.
Central SOEs should actively embrace the profound changes brought about by AI, and prioritize the development of the new generation of AI. They should also take the lead in empowering traditional industries with AI, the SASAC noted.
In addition, central SOEs should integrate AI development into their overall work plans, promote industrial revitalization, and accelerate the planning and development of the AI industry. They should also accelerate the construction of a number of intelligent computing centers, improve relevant infrastructure and algorithm tools to empower the industries, the SASAC stressed.
The meeting demonstrated the government’s recent efforts to use AI to empower and rejuvenate the industries.
Over CNY2 trillion invested in strategic emerging industries last year
Total investment by the central SOEs stood at CNY6.2 trillion (USD873 billion) in 2023, up 6.9% year on year, according to data from the SASAC.
Specifically, investment in strategic emerging industries grew rapidly by 32.1% to CNY2.18 trillion, accounting for more than 35% of the total, the SASAC said on February 18.
There are 97 central SOEs under direct management of the SASAC, according to a list published by the SASAC in November 2023.
