Zheng Shajie, the head of China’s powerful National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), recently conducted a high-profile investigation at the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. The visit underscores the central government's intensifying focus on treating artificial intelligence not merely as a commercial sector, but as a critical pillar of national power and economic resilience. During the tour, Zheng inspected specialized computing platforms and 'embodied intelligence' projects, signaling a shift toward AI that interacts with the physical world and scientific discovery.
The NDRC’s involvement is significant because it represents the top-down orchestration of the Chinese economy. Zheng’s emphasis on 'AI for Science' and 'embodied AI' suggests that Beijing is moving beyond large language models to focus on industrial and scientific applications that can directly enhance manufacturing and research productivity. By positioning these technologies as 'national strategic forces,' the government is preparing to channel massive state resources into foundational research that private enterprise alone may not sustain.
A recurring theme during the visit was the development of a 'domestic software and hardware ecosystem.' This phrase is a coded reference to China's urgent need to bypass Western export restrictions on high-end semiconductors. By fostering a self-reliant supply chain, Beijing aims to ensure that its AI ambitions remain insulated from geopolitical shocks. Zheng’s call for 'original innovation' reflects a desire to move away from the 'copycat' reputation of the past and toward a leadership position in the next generation of algorithmic breakthroughs.
Finally, the visit addressed the delicate balance between rapid development and safety. Zheng called for a 'development and security' framework, indicating that while China is eager to lead, it will maintain strict regulatory oversight over how AI is deployed. This approach aims to minimize social friction and security risks while ensuring that AI serves the state's broader economic goals. As the AI race accelerates, the NDRC’s direct oversight suggests that the technology has now moved to the absolute center of China’s long-term macroeconomic planning.