Shenzhen's local government has announced plans to embed AI across society in its latest five-year blueprint, aiming to bring the technology into every household. The initiative covers 2026 to 2030 and seeks to position the city as one of the world's most technologically advanced by 2035. Analysts view it as a vital testing ground for Beijing's national AI strategy amid intensifying US-China tech competition.
The Communist Party's Shenzhen municipal committee issued a policy paper on Monday outlining the city's 15th five-year plan, a socio-economic blueprint for 2026 to 2030. The document details Shenzhen's ambition to become one of the world's most technologically advanced cities by 2035, serving as a model for how megacities can support China's broader development goals.
"The goal is for AI to reach every household while empowering all walks of life and industries," states the paper, which calls for an "AI+" strategy spanning public services and commercial applications.
Analysts say Shenzhen will serve as a critical testing ground for Beijing's national AI strategy, as the cutting-edge technology opens a new front in US-China competition. Dai Mingjie, a senior researcher at the South China University of Technology's Institute of Public Policy, argues that the city's plans for the next five to 10 years hold nationwide significance.
"Shenzhen’s AI policy statement is a detailed implementation plan of national goals and signals a shift from focusing on pure tech advancement and supremacy, where the US still dominates, to a much broader spectrum, including manufacturing, varied applications and commercialisation, where China commands a clear advantage," Dai said.
This initiative underscores China's ambitions in AI, particularly seeking leadership beyond areas where the US holds dominance in core technologies.
