MIIT Unveils Strategic Campaign to Cultivate AI Application Service Providers

A national-level initiative designed to systematically nurture a robust cohort of artificial intelligence application service providers has been officially launched. According to a recent notice issued by the General Office of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the core objective is to forge a professional force that deeply understands industry pain points, masters technical mechanisms, prioritizes security risks, and excels in project delivery and operation.

Clear Phased Goals with Quantifiable Targets

The notice outlines a definitive roadmap with measurable milestones for this cultivation campaign:

  • By the end of 2026: The number of enterprises within the national AI application service provider resource pool is set to exceed 2,000. This will mark the initial formation of a multi-tiered, well-structured industrial echelon with clear division of labor and capacity for collaborative innovation, significantly enhancing the ability to deliver solutions for complex real-world scenarios.
  • By the end of 2027: The total number of service providers in the resource pool will reach no less than 3,000. This scale is intended to robustly support a healthy and thriving AI application service ecosystem characterized by "all-factor collaboration, full-chain integration, and all-scenario coverage."

Beyond Technology Supply: Focusing on Ecosystem Development

The profound implication of this special campaign lies in shifting the focus from mere technology and product supply to a "solution-as-a-service" model deeply integrated with the real economy. It emphasizes the composite capabilities required of service providers:

  • Industry Acumen: Moving beyond generic technology to understand specific sector workflows and core challenges.
  • Technical Integration: The ability to effectively combine AI technology with existing IT systems, hardware, and data resources.
  • Security and Delivery: Embedding security risk management throughout the process and possessing the project management skills to translate blueprints into stable, reliable deployed applications.

The introduction of this policy signals that China's AI industry development is entering a critical phase extending from foundational R&D and model innovation to application deployment and ecosystem prosperity. By cultivating a batch of "bridge" service providers, the initiative aims to significantly lower the barrier to AI adoption for businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, thereby accelerating the intelligent transformation across industries.