South China's Guangdong province has introduced a five-year action plan (2026–30) to accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence into scientific research, with the goal of capitalizing on AI to strengthen the province's original innovation capabilities.

The action plan, issued by the Science and Technology Committee of the Communist Party of China Guangdong Provincial Committee, comes as Guangdong seeks to establish itself as a global leader in AI-empowered scientific research by 2030. This initiative aligns with the country's broader strategy to advance innovation in digital and intelligent technologies and deepen the "AI+" initiative to drive economic and social development.

The plan emphasizes a full-chain "AI+ research" approach, covering seven major areas — ranging from basic sciences to philosophy and the social sciences — and outlines four major actions and 19 key tasks. The initiative aims to spur original innovation and support the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as an international hub for technological innovation.

More than a mere policy document, the plan represents a concrete step by Guangdong to implement its innovation-driven development strategy and advance high-level self-reliance and strength in science and technology. Strategically, AI is a cornerstone of China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30). Moreover, amid intensifying global technological competition, Guangdong is positioning itself to secure a leading edge in AI, with a focus on breakthroughs in AI theory, technology, and applications. The plan also addresses research needs by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, enhancing data infrastructure, and promoting talent development.

Specifically, the plan outlines the development of four strategic bases within the Greater Bay Area: Guangzhou for life sciences, Dongguan for advanced materials, Zhuhai for marine sciences, and Shenzhen for AI talent.

According to the plan, Guangdong aims to achieve major scientific breakthroughs in AI application scenarios by 2030, enabling AI to play a significant role in research across various fields and cementing its status as a global hub for AI-enabled scientific research.