(Yicai) March 11 -- The fusion of artificial intelligence with various industries promises unprecedented market opportunities, but it also requires enhanced policy guidance, Chinese experts discussed during the Two Sessions.

Promoting the integration of "AI Plus" and "Energy Plus" could unlock incredible new opportunities, scenarios, and momentum, said Song Hailiang, chairman of China Energy Engineering Group and a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

Song suggested strengthening policy guidance, as well as technological and scenario support to accelerate the creation of a new developmental paradigm driven by digital intelligence and low-carbon practices.

The 2025 government work report, delivered during the Two Sessions, outlined plans to further advance China's AI Plus initiative. Launched in 2024 by Premier Li Qiang, the initiative aims to embed AI technologies into the real economy, including sectors such as education and manufacturing.

The latest work report encourages the combination of digital technology with manufacturing and market advantages, supports the widespread application of large language models, and promotes the development of next-generation machines, such as connected electric vehicles, advanced smartphones and computers, robots, and intelligent manufacturing equipment.

Dozens of state-owned enterprises have already partnered with DeepSeek R1, China's homegrown and open-source alternative to OpenAI's ChatGPT, spanning key sectors such as energy, telecommunications, automotive, finance, and construction.

Integration and Safety

China General Nuclear Power Group is committed to integrating AI across various applications in nuclear power engineering, including design, construction, operation and maintenance, safety, quality, and environmental management, to make the entire process of constructing a nuclear power project smart, said Yang Changli, chairman of the state-owned energy giant and a CPPCC member.

Bao Hujun, a professor at Zhejiang University's College of Computer Science and Technology and a CPPCC member, addressed challenges in AI development. He recommended strengthening original research and engineering technologies, supporting domestic chip research and development, and fostering collaborations in open-source and proprietary technologies. He also advocated for joint laboratories between universities and enterprises, alongside improvements to startup policies.

Li Jinghong, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a CPPCC member, called for the accelerated formulation of AI promotion laws to address issues such as the lag between technological advancements and regulations, insufficient data supply, and intellectual property protection.

Qi Xiangdong, chairman of cybersecurity firm Qi-Anxin Group and a CPPCC member, proposed the creation of a comprehensive firewall for large language models, the implementation of dual control mechanisms for input and output, and the establishment of a controlled testing environment, or regulatory sandbox, in critical sectors such as government affairs to enhance security.

The National People's Congress and the CPPCC, together known as the Two Sessions, meet in Beijing each March to consider proposals and set the national political and economic agenda for the year ahead.

Editor: Emmi Laine