Hebei Province is set to launch a series of initiatives aimed at accelerating the growth of its artificial intelligence sector, injecting fresh momentum into the regional economy. The provincial government will introduce an "open competition" mechanism for AI industrial innovation tasks, encouraging collaborative efforts among relevant organizations to tackle key technological challenges.
A provincial industry official highlighted that the focus will be on breakthroughs in critical areas such as industrial-grade large models, high-precision visual perception, intelligent autonomous decision-making, and embodied intelligence. These efforts are expected to spur the development of smart terminal products and strengthen the cultivation of enterprises within the AI ecosystem.
Where to begin? The Department of Industry and Information Technology will spearhead the creation of multiple innovation platforms dedicated to the "AI plus manufacturing" sector. These platforms will be leveraged to enhance technology transfer and industrialization capabilities, enabling AI to support collaborative research, scientific instrument development, and the construction of pilot testing facilities.
In parallel, the province will conduct research on AI-driven solutions, selecting a portfolio of industrial applications for large-scale deployment across key industries. This will ensure that successful use cases are scaled up to deliver tangible benefits to the manufacturing base.
On the product front, Hebei encourages collaboration between model developers and terminal equipment manufacturers to advance next-generation consumer smart devices. This includes connected vehicles, advanced smartphones and computers, and intelligent home systems. Concurrently, the province will promote the development of professional-grade terminals, such as industrial robots capable of performing skilled tasks and assistive robots designed for elderly care and disability support.
High-tech enterprises are also being urged to intensify research on essential components, including novel sensors, intelligent end-effectors, and brain-inspired computing chips. The ultimate goal is to create future-oriented smart terminals, including humanoid robots and neuromorphic computing devices. To drive adoption, the province will annually select 100 provincial-level innovative AI terminal products or equipment for widespread application in various sectors.
Supporting this ecosystem, Hebei will establish a dedicated database to nurture AI companies, with a particular focus on cultivating specialized and innovative "little giant" firms alongside tech-savvy SMEs. By capitalizing on its strong application scenarios, the province aims to attract leading domestic AI companies to establish regional headquarters, R&D centers, and innovation hubs. This strategy is intended to draw in ecosystem partners and supply chain enterprises, fostering a cluster of influential AI players and "little giant" companies with national impact.
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