In a significant address, renowned economist Justin Yifu Lin has positioned artificial intelligence as the fundamental engine powering China’s technological transformation and economic advancement. The Standing Committee member of the CPPCC National Committee and Dean of Peking University’s Institute of New Structural Economics articulated that the ‘AI Plus’ initiative represents more than technological adoption—it constitutes the cornerstone of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Professor Lin presented compelling evidence from China’s automotive sector, demonstrating how the nation has strategically pivoted from being a follower in traditional internal combustion engine vehicles to establishing global leadership in electric vehicles and autonomous driving technologies. This transition exemplifies how targeted technological adoption can enable developing economies to bypass traditional development stages and achieve competitive advantages in emerging fields.
Addressing widespread concerns about workforce displacement, Lin provided reassurances grounded in economic theory. He projected that the net employment effect of AI integration will ultimately prove positive, with new job categories and industries emerging to replace those transformed by automation. The economist emphasized that the fundamental purpose of technological progress remains human welfare enhancement, with AI-driven development creating opportunities for improved living standards and economic prosperity.
The ‘AI Plus’ framework, as outlined by Lin, extends beyond manufacturing into healthcare, education, and infrastructure development. This comprehensive approach positions AI not as a standalone technology but as an integrative force that will reshape productive capabilities across China’s economic landscape, potentially offering a development model for other emerging economies seeking technological advancement.