Beijing has emphasised the safe and orderly development of artificial intelligence amid growing global anxiety about the disruptive impact of the rapidly advancing technology, as the country’s leaders put the final stamp of approval on China’s next five-year plan at this year’s “two sessions”.

The 15th five-year plan elevates China’s AI Plus initiative as a top national priority, according to a draft version of the document submitted for review to the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislature, on Thursday and seen by the South China Morning Post.

First announced in 2024, the AI Plus initiative includes a target of integrating AI into 90 per cent of China’s economy by 2030, the final year of the 15th five-year plan.

AI is mentioned 52 times throughout the document, compared to 11 times in the 14th five-year plan released in 2021, as Beijing looks to ensure self-reliance in a technology with huge geopolitical and economic implications.

But while it emphasises the importance of accelerated breakthroughs in fundamental AI technologies, including high-performance chips and foundational models, the document includes numerous provisions to ensure that rapid AI progress happens smoothly.