In accordance with the "Implementation Plan for Accelerating High-Quality Development Empowered by Artificial Intelligence in Key Sectors" (Lu Zheng Ban Zi [2025] No. 48), the Cyberspace Affairs Commission of the Shandong Provincial Committee and the Provincial Big Data Bureau are organizing the 2026 Shandong "AI + Cybersecurity" Innovation Challenge initiative. The goal is to deepen the integration of artificial intelligence with cybersecurity and advance the development of a new cybersecurity protection system.
The initiative targets key areas such as the cybersecurity protection framework and the application of cutting-edge technologies. It aims to promote integrated innovation in security asset management, threat monitoring, vulnerability governance, intelligent security operations, and supply chain security using AI technologies. Through the challenge mechanism, the program will select organizations and teams with strong technical capabilities, practical achievements, and development potential. The expected outcomes include reproducible, scalable, and exemplary application results, as well as advanced demonstration cases in intelligent threat detection, proactive defense, precise analysis, and coordinated response.
Projects are divided into two categories: theoretical research and practical exploration. Theoretical research focuses on intelligent management of cybersecurity fundamentals, threat monitoring and active defense, and AI security and privacy protection. Applicants are required to conduct systematic research and propose theoretical frameworks, producing reports that offer both theoretical depth and practical guidance to support policy-making and industrial development.
Practical exploration projects concentrate on capability building, threat monitoring and proactive defense, supply chain security risk management, and AI cybersecurity governance. These projects should drive technological innovation, scenario application, and model exploration, resulting in significant and exemplary practical cases.
Applicants must be legally registered enterprises or institutions with strong research and innovation capabilities in data-related fields. Joint applications are encouraged, with a maximum of three partners per consortium. Each organization may lead or participate in up to two projects. Applicants must have stable research teams and provide necessary facilities, personnel, funding, and technical support. Organizations with major legal violations, inclusion in credit blacklists, or involvement in significant cybersecurity incidents within the past three years are ineligible.
Application materials must be accurate, focused, and based on independently owned intellectual property. Sensitive information should be redacted to ensure scalability. Proposals must outline specific tasks, implementation plans, and expected outcomes. Theoretical research projects require at least one research report, while practical exploration projects must deliver at least one application scenario or case study.
Municipal cyberspace affairs offices and big data bureaus are responsible for organizing local applications. Provincial departments, state-owned enterprises, and central government units in Shandong will manage submissions, reviews, and recommendations for their respective jurisdictions. Applicants must complete the "2026 Shandong AI + Cybersecurity Innovation Challenge Project Application Form." Materials must be submitted to the Shandong Cybersecurity and Informatization Technology Center by April 28, 2026.
The Cyberspace Affairs Commission and the Big Data Bureau will organize expert reviews for shortlisted applications, including on-site presentations and Q&A sessions. Projects will be evaluated based on innovation, feasibility, promotion value, and risk management. Successful applicants will be announced following official procedures.
Progress of selected projects will be monitored regularly, with final evaluations scheduled by the end of December 2026. Outstanding results will be promoted, and mature practices with replication potential will be incorporated into regulatory frameworks for broader implementation across the province.
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