Chinese President Xi Jinping visited an AI incubator in Shanghai on Tuesday, calling on the city to take the lead in artificial intelligence development and governance.
Touring the Shanghai Foundation Model Innovation Center—home to over 100 enterprises—Xi emphasized the rapid evolution of AI technology and its entry into a phase of explosive growth.
“AI is a nascent industry, and it’s also an industry that belongs to young people,” Xi said during a salon themed on the autonomous evolution of next-generation intelligent agents. He engaged in discussions with young innovators, highlighting the vital role they play in shaping the future of AI.
At an AI product experience store, Xi tried on a pair of smart glasses, gaining firsthand experience of the latest innovations. He inquired about the functions and market trends of various products, underscoring his interest in the practical applications of AI technology.
This visit follows a dedicated AI study session held by China’s leadership four days earlier, where Xi called for gaining a head start in this strategic sector. He pointed out that AI, as a leading technology in the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, is profoundly changing the way people work and live.
“The Communist Party of China Central Committee attaches great importance to the development of AI and has improved top-level design and strengthened implementation efforts in recent years,” Xi said at the session.
