The State Council Information Office recently held a press conference to showcase major accomplishments in industrial and information technology development for 2025. Xie Cun, Director of the Information and Communication Development Department at the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, shared detailed insights into significant progress, highlighting the pivotal role of artificial intelligence (AI) in advancing smart manufacturing. According to Xie Cun, AI technologies now deeply infiltrate over 70% of business scenarios in leading smart factories nationwide, marking a remarkable integration that is transforming traditional manufacturing into more efficient and autonomous operations. A notable achievement includes the creation of more than 6, 000 vertical domain models—specialized AI frameworks tailored to address specific industry challenges—enhancing precision and adaptability in diverse manufacturing contexts. Additionally, over 1, 700 key intelligent manufacturing equipment and industrial software solutions have been developed and widely deployed, demonstrating strong commitment to embedding cutting-edge AI technologies into manufacturing infrastructure. These systems significantly streamline production, improve quality control, and boost operational efficiency. Beyond hardware and software, the industry has also cultivated several industrial intelligent agents with capabilities in perception, decision-making, and execution. These advanced agents represent a shift from basic automation toward autonomous systems that can adapt in dynamic manufacturing environments, marking a critical milestone in the evolution of smart manufacturing. Xie Cun emphasized that this progress is driving smart manufacturing into a new era of autonomy—where factories can independently perceive, decide, and act without constant human supervision, contrasting with traditional automation dependent on pre-programmed tasks.

This transformation is poised to greatly enhance manufacturing flexibility, productivity, and resilience. The Ministry’s push for AI integration aligns with China’s broader national strategy to establish itself as a global leader in high-tech manufacturing. By investing in AI-driven innovation and industrial applications, China aims to bolster industrial competitiveness and accelerate manufacturing sector transformation. In summary, the 2025 industrial and information technology achievements illustrate rapid, impactful AI adoption across manufacturing industries. With AI embedded in over 70% of smart factory business scenarios, thousands of domain-specific AI models deployed, and widespread use of intelligent equipment and software, the groundwork for autonomous manufacturing is firmly set. The rise of sophisticated intelligent agents further supports a future of self-sufficient, intelligent industrial ecosystems. These milestones result from collaborative efforts among government, industry, and technology developers to realize smart manufacturing that not only improves productivity and efficiency but also fosters innovation and sustainable growth. As these technologies continue to mature and integrate, China’s manufacturing landscape—and global industry as a whole—is poised for deep transformation, offering new prospects and challenges in the digital era.