On March 4, 2026, the National People's Congress commenced, where Hisense Group Chairman Jia Shaoqian presented proposals focusing on concrete applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in manufacturing and enhancing public services. He emphasized that the AI sector is transitioning from a technological boom to a value realization phase, urging the need to shift from a technology-centric mindset to a pragmatic approach that prioritizes genuine user and industry needs.
Jia highlighted the importance of integrating AI with the real economy to unlock its full potential. He proposed the establishment of a national framework for "intelligent agents" through a public service platform and an "industrial knowledge base," enabling machines to make autonomous, optimal decisions. He also suggested fostering a collaborative production model involving "humans, digital workers, and physical robots" to create trillions in algorithmic demand, enhancing China's manufacturing prowess.
Hisense's projects, such as AI-driven factories, exemplify these concepts. For instance, the company’s lighthouse factory utilizes AI in process design, resulting in a 75% efficiency increase by generating comprehensive solution plans in just five minutes. In the robot sector, Jia called for a shift toward high-value, differentiated applications rather than generic solutions. Hisense’s air conditioning factory showcases how robotic collaboration can lead to a 37% reduction in product development time and significant cost savings.
In consumer markets, Jia sees home automation robots as the forefront of AI adoption, targeting the needs of families with assistive technologies. He advocates for national support in key sectors such as healthcare and specialized tasks to establish a competitive edge for Chinese smart manufacturing on a global scale.
Ultimately, Jia's vision involves creating a "human-machine collaborative" production model that enhances efficiency while preserving human creativity and decision-making, paving the way for a sustainable transformation in manufacturing.