China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has issued a notice outlining a special action plan to cultivate AI application service providers. The initiative promotes large-scale deployment by guiding service providers to package modular, standardized solution bundles centered on high-frequency, essential, and reusable business needs, creating a suite of agile and cost-effective AI products and services.

Leveraging platforms such as industry alliances, trade associations, and open-source communities, the plan calls for sector-specific supply-demand matching events and promotional campaigns for service providers. Real-world scenarios will be opened to service providers for practical implementation, fostering technology development, commercialization of results, and the creation of benchmark solutions to generate demonstration effects.

The ministry is exploring procurement incentive models, including first-purchase incentives and risk compensation, to scale up purchases of large models, AI agents, and Token-based services, thereby improving the efficiency and quality of AI adoption across industries. Eligible regions are encouraged to establish comprehensive "going global" service systems, leveraging cooperation platforms such as the Belt and Road Initiative, BRICS, and China-ASEAN mechanisms to facilitate the overseas deployment of high-quality AI application projects.

By the end of 2026, the nationwide service provider resource pool is expected to exceed 2,000 companies, forming a well-structured, multi-tiered echelon with clear division of labor and collaborative innovation, while notably enhancing delivery capabilities for complex scenarios. By the end of 2027, the pool should include no fewer than 3,000 service providers, supporting the creation of an AI application service ecosystem characterized by full-factor synergy, end-to-end supply chain integration, and comprehensive scenario coverage.

Defining Service Providers and Strategic Objectives

According to the document, an AI application service provider is defined as an enterprise or institution that delivers services including consulting and planning, implementation, operations management, and security governance for AI solutions, aligned with the intelligent transformation needs of user organizations. The action plan, issued in accordance with the State Council's guidelines on deepening the "AI+" initiative, establishes a service provider resource pool to enhance capabilities in technological innovation, integrated delivery, and security compliance.

The primary objective is to cultivate a professional workforce of AI application service providers who understand industry pain points, possess deep technical expertise, are aware of security risks, and excel at delivery and operations. By the end of 2026, the national resource pool aims to surpass 2,000 service providers, and by the end of 2027, the target is at least 3,000, fostering a robust AI application service ecosystem.

Key Tasks: Building the Resource Pool

The first task involves establishing the resource pool at the regional level. Local authorities will survey service providers operating within their jurisdictions, including central state-owned enterprises registered locally, and create detailed service provider profiles. By the end of 2027, provinces hosting national AI industry innovation application pilot zones must have no fewer than 100 service providers in their regional pools. The MIIT will consolidate regional data to form and periodically publish the national resource pool based on relevant standards.

Enhancing Service Supply Capabilities

The second task focuses on elevating service supply levels. Service providers are encouraged to lead the formation of "AI application service teams" focused on areas such as model-data synergy and computing-power coordination, collaborating with upstream and downstream partners to deliver integrated solutions. Local innovation carriers, including national AI application pilot bases and technology business incubators, will support providers with R&D, testing, validation, and pilot-scale maturation to accelerate solution innovation and drive specialized and sophisticated development.

Providers are urged to tackle critical technical challenges including software-hardware adaptation and multi-model coordination. The plan emphasizes strengthening integration capabilities with secure and reliable foundational software and hardware products, such as operating systems, databases, and AI training and inference chips. Timely dissemination of security risk information regarding AI software and hardware products is also required. Service providers must embed cybersecurity, data security, ethical governance, and regulatory compliance requirements throughout the entire lifecycle—from R&D and deployment to application—transforming compliance from a reactive measure into proactive risk prevention.

Scaling Application and Exploring Procurement Models

The third task centers on scaling application deployment. Service providers will construct modular, standardized solution packages targeting high-frequency, essential, and reusable business operations, resulting in a range of "small, fast, lightweight, and precise" AI products and services. Through industry alliances, associations, and open-source communities, targeted matchmaking events will be organized by sector to showcase and promote service providers' offerings.

Real-world scenarios will be opened for pilot implementations, enabling providers to refine technologies and commercialize outcomes. Benchmark solutions will be developed to generate multiplier effects across industries. To spur adoption, the MIIT is exploring procurement models such as first-purchase incentives and risk compensation to increase purchases of large models, AI agents, and Token-based services, boosting the overall quality and efficiency of AI utilization across industries.

Regionally, capable authorities are tasked with building comprehensive "going global" service systems, leveraging international cooperation frameworks like the Belt and Road Initiative, BRICS, and China-ASEAN platforms to deploy high-quality AI projects overseas.

Strengthening Support and Safeguards

The fourth task addresses support mechanisms. Service providers will be supported in connecting with national computing power network hub nodes, interoperability nodes, and China's computing platform, while utilizing policy tools such as "computing vouchers" to reduce costs. Intelligent programming tools will be optimized to enhance software delivery capacity. Outcomes from initiatives like "model-data resonance" and "industrial data foundation" will open APIs or trial channels for service providers.

Universities and vocational colleges are encouraged to co-build training bases with leading providers to cultivate interdisciplinary talent skilled in business understanding, model expertise, security awareness, and delivery capability. Providers are also encouraged to establish field deployment engineering teams to work on-site at user locations, ensuring smooth implementation of AI solutions in operational environments.

Implementation Timeline and Coordination

Regional authorities must submit their service provider pools, along with accompanying service team information, to the MIIT's Department of Science and Technology by December 1, 2026, with regular updates to follow. Each region is required to report no fewer than 10 service teams, each led by one provider and joined by at least two upstream or downstream partners.

The MIIT will institute a standing tracking and evaluation mechanism, dispatching industry experts for on-site guidance and dynamically monitoring progress. A summary report is due by December 1, 2027, covering task completion, and the ministry will conduct an overall assessment, identifying benchmark providers, solutions, and service teams for broader promotion.

Organizational Guarantees and Policy Support

To ensure effective implementation, the MIIT will strengthen overall coordination, promptly addressing major issues and critical matters arising during the initiative. Regions demonstrating exceptional implementation results will receive preferential support in relevant policies and projects. The ministry will also launch an online platform for the AI application service provider resource pool to facilitate information sharing. Local industry and information technology authorities are encouraged to enhance policy backing and allocate matching resources to support service providers within their jurisdictions.

This directive reflects the government's commitment to systematically cultivating a robust AI service ecosystem, addressing both domestic adoption and international expansion, and laying the groundwork for comprehensive AI integration across China's industrial landscape.