Premier calls for promotion of AI

Technology an engine for development of new quality productive forces

Premier Li Qiang has urged efforts to promote the application of artificial intelligence after China set the goal of developing new quality productive forces at a faster pace in this year's Government Work Report.

Li made the remarks on Wednesday after visits to a pilot zone in Beijing for advanced autonomous driving, Chinese tech heavyweight Baidu, integrated circuit producer Naura Technology Group, and the Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence.

First put forward by President Xi Jinping during his inspection tour to Heilongjiang province in September, new quality productive forces were repeatedly mentioned during the recently concluded annual sessions of the national legislature and top political advisory body.