Jiangsu's artificial intelligence landscape is rapidly transforming from a blueprint into tangible reality. Intelligent production lines in Nanjing are using robots to manufacture other robots, reshaping industrial operations. In Changzhou, AI-powered workshops detect component defects at the microscopic level. Meanwhile, in Suzhou's brand design labs, AI swiftly generates 3D digital clothing samples for overseas client approval.
On July 29, the 23rd session of the 14th Jiangsu Provincial People's Congress Standing Committee opened in Nanjing. The meeting reviewed a government proposal for the Jiangsu Province Artificial Intelligence Industry Development Promotion Regulations (Draft) (the "Regulations Draft"). This 63-article, 8-chapter document is grounded in national AI development strategies and tailored to the province's specific industrial goals and needs. It provides a detailed framework covering guiding principles, institutional mechanisms, resource allocation, technological innovation, application empowerment, and the industrial ecosystem. The aim is to use legislation as a cornerstone for the high-quality development of the AI sector.
Anchoring Industrial Growth with "AI+" Legislation
As a major manufacturing, software, and science-education powerhouse, Jiangsu has designated the AI cluster as a key area for cultivation within its "1650" industrial system. Its innovation and integration application levels are among the highest in the nation. Earlier this year, the province released an "AI+" action plan, encompassing 26 support policies covering areas like scenario opening, data elements, and computing power. The plan sets ambitious targets: achieving over 70% adoption of next-generation intelligent terminals and agent applications by 2027, and by 2030, fostering a batch of leading domestic large models, creating numerous large-scale commercial application scenarios, with the AI industry's scale surpassing one trillion yuan. This would make the intelligent economy a significant growth pillar for the province.
Enacting AI industry legislation is a key legislative project for this year. "Formulating these regulations is a necessity for implementing major national strategies and building a highland for AI innovation and development," stated Cai Jianfeng, Director of the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology. Regarding management systems, the Regulations Draft proposes that the provincial government should strengthen leadership over AI industry development, incorporate it into the national economic and social development plan, and coordinate solutions to major issues. Governments at the city and county level are tasked with formulating and implementing local policies. Various provincial departments and AI industry associations will also have defined roles in promoting R&D, industrial collaboration, and talent cultivation.
Deepening Scenario Integration to Activate New Momentum in AI and Robotics
AI has already deeply penetrated various sectors of the real economy and public services. The Regulations Draft aims to leverage the province's manufacturing strengths, focusing on the application side to accelerate the alignment of application scenarios with market demand. A key area is the deep integration of AI with the robotics industry. The draft encourages building high-quality training datasets and simulation platforms for embodied intelligent robots across multiple scenarios.
Local governments and relevant departments are urged to accelerate the development of consumer terminals like intelligent connected vehicles, drones, smart homes, and wearables, as well as industry terminals such as unmanned vessels, smart medical devices, brain-computer interfaces, and smart industrial terminals. The goal is to support the cultivation of independent brands and promote the demonstration application of smart terminals in key areas like industrial manufacturing, public services, and home services.
For AI application scenario construction, the draft stipulates that local governments should establish a mechanism for opening up application scenarios, evaluate and incentivize the degree of openness, and regularly publish lists of scenario demands and solutions. It also encourages exploring market-oriented operational mechanisms for AI application supply and demand, promoting scenario optimization and sustainable operation. The regulations explicitly cover AI's integrated application in scientific research, industrial manufacturing, agriculture, modern services, industrial upgrading, consumption quality improvement, public services, and social governance to enhance economic quality, urban living standards, and modern management capabilities.
Fostering a Robust Ecosystem and Encouraging Universal AI Education
A thriving ecosystem is crucial for industrial growth. The Regulations Draft addresses the governance needs of the AI industry by building a support mechanism from the ecosystem side, which includes enhanced financial support, talent education and employment, and legal service guarantees.
To improve public AI literacy, the draft proposes that local governments and relevant departments strengthen the promotion, education, and training of AI-related technical and legal knowledge. It also calls for organizing AI science popularization and experiential activities. Furthermore, education departments are encouraged to support schools—from higher education to vocational and primary levels—in offering multi-level, multi-directional, and multi-form AI courses, including universal AI education.
Balancing development with safety, the Regulations Draft, while preserving sufficient flexibility and space for industrial growth, maintains regulatory boundaries. It proposes establishing a multi-departmental, multi-subject, and rapid-response AI security governance system to enhance security management capabilities. It also pushes for the governance of AI technology ethics, requires the improvement of AI security technology systems to ensure fairness and inclusivity, and aims to prevent and combat new types of crime using AI, while strengthening public service capabilities for AI security technology.
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