High-tech skills to power real economy

China has launched a major policy push to democratize artificial intelligence skills across its workforce, aiming to bridge the gap between high-level technological development and its real economy to drive long-term industrial productivity.

The push follows top-level directives, including the State Council's August 2025 guidelines on the "AI+" action plan and an April 2026 Ministry of Education framework targeting universal AI literacy by 2030.

In January, Zhang Yunming, vice-minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said that China's core AI industry exceeded 1.2 trillion yuan ($178 billion) across 6,000 enterprise players in 2025.

At the annual two sessions in March, National Development and Reform Commission Chairman Zheng Shanjie estimated the broader AI ecosystem will top 10 trillion yuan during the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–30) period.

To reach these macroeconomic targets, national authorities are pinning their hopes on widespread AI application in traditional sectors like manufacturing, textiles, power and healthcare.

At the local level, municipal initiatives are serving as direct matchmakers between technology vendors and regional industrial hubs.

In Nantong, Jiangsu province, the government-backed "Oasis Spark AI Night School" offers free courses ranging from basic office automation to industry-specific applications in home textiles and medical care. A recent "AI + Home Textiles" session drew nearly 20,000 online and offline participants.

Wang Hao, general manager of Nantong Minxing Software Co, said he was drawn to the event due to the strong local home textile industry cluster and became more confident about establishing his project there as a one-person company.

Wang, who was invited to deliver a project roadshow that evening, said he received friend-request messages from eight home textile entrepreneurs, and is now busy visiting the companies, connecting with their needs and steadily advancing cooperation.

"Startups lack channels and resources. The AI night school, organized by the government, allows us to directly engage with enterprises and deliver targeted technical services. This form of empowerment is especially valuable for us," he said.

Nantong's Tongzhou district is building an AI capability enhancement system that integrates online and offline offerings, general and professional training, and instruction with business matchmaking.

As of July 16, the "Oasis Spark AI Night School" in Tongzhou had held four sessions, covering foundational office applications, home textiles, healthcare, and technology and education, with growing popularity both online and offline.

All courses are free of charge and aim to transform AI from an elusive concept into an accessible technology. According to local officials, they serve as an efficient bridge between technology providers and industry demand, enabling AI to enter the real economy and empower industrial development.

"I used to think AI had a high barrier to entry and was a tool for professionals. After taking the course, I realized that ordinary people can master it easily. Now I can use it for drafting plans and writing copy," said a participant surnamed Zhang.

Sources from the district's development and reform commission said the AI night school will continue to focus on industry-customized training, with special sessions planned in areas including healthcare, smart cities and emergency management.

AI applications have expanded to cover key industries such as steel, nonferrous metals, electricity and telecommunications, and are increasingly penetrating areas including product R&D, quality inspection and customer service.

In August 2025, the State Council issued an opinion paper on implementing the "AI+" action, which encouraged all citizens to learn new AI knowledge and technologies, called for extensive AI skills training, and aimed to cultivate employment capabilities suited to the intelligent era.

In April 2026, the Ministry of Education and four other departments issued the "AI+ education" action plan, which sets a target of establishing a comprehensive AI education system covering all educational stages and the whole of society by 2030, with full coverage of teacher AI training included as a core objective.

Following the top-level guidance, provinces and cities have rolled out targeted supporting policies.

Shanghai has added AI trainers to its Class A key vocational promotion programs, boosting training subsidies by 30 percent and offering residence permit points to certified workers.

Yangzhou in Jiangsu province has introduced talent policies featuring up to 200,000 yuan in training base subsidies alongside direct computing power vouchers to lower commercial development costs.

Suzhou in Jiangsu has created a "30-minute vocational skills training circle" integrating advanced manufacturing instruction directly with employment placement.

Beijing, Guangdong, and Liaoning have integrated compulsory AI general courses into primary and secondary school curricula.

Nanning in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region has launched the region's first public-interest AI skill night schools and municipal AI vocational skill competitions, while building industrial talent integration alliances.