China issues guidelines on comprehensive AI industry standardization

Beijing (Gasgoo)- Recently, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Cyberspace Administration of China, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the National Standardization Administration jointly issued the "Guidelines for the Construction of a National Comprehensive Standardization System for the Artificial Intelligence Industry (2024 Edition)" (hereinafter referred to as the "Guidelines").

The Guidelines aim to enhance the alignment between standards and industrial technological innovation in China. By 2026, over 50 new national and industry standards will be formulated to accelerate the establishment of a high-quality AI development standards system. Additionally, over 1,000 enterprises will promote and implement these standards, significantly boosting innovation. China plans to participate in the development of more than 20 international standards, fostering the global development of the AI industry.

The Guidelines emphasize that AI, as a foundational and strategic technology, is leading the new wave of technological and industrial transformation. AI is becoming a key engine for new productive forces, deeply integrating with the real economy, empowering new industrialization, and fundamentally transforming industrial production models and economic development. This will significantly support China's efforts to become a manufacturing and digital powerhouse.

The AI industry chain comprises four main components: the foundational layer (computing power, algorithms, and data), the framework layer (deep learning frameworks and tools), the model layer (large models and related technologies), and the application layer (industry-specific AI applications).

In recent years, China’s AI industry has achieved rapid development in technological innovation, product creation, and industry applications, resulting in a vast market scale. With the acceleration of new technologies, especially large models, the AI industry is experiencing breakthroughs in innovative technologies, integrated industry applications, and deep international cooperation. This necessitates a comprehensive AI industry standardization system.

The Guidelines focus on developing standards in seven key areas, including foundation and general standards, basic support, key technologies, intelligent products and services, new industrialization, industry applications, and security/governance.

Foundational and general standards provide the basic, framework, and overall standards for AI. Basic support standards regulate technical requirements for data, computing power, and algorithms, establishing a solid technological foundation for AI industry development. Key technology standards focus on requirements for AI in text, speech, image, human-machine hybrid augmented intelligence, intelligent agents, cross-media intelligence, and embodied intelligence, driving AI innovation and application.

Intelligent products and services standards regulate AI-based products and service models. Supporting new industrialization standards in specifying the technical requirements for AI-enabled intelligent manufacturing and industry upgrades. Industry application standards define technical requirements for AI in various sectors, ensuring technological support for industry-specific applications. Security/governance standards address AI security and governance, ensuring the safe development of the AI industry.