Yantai unveils three-year action plan for AI-driven innovation

Yantai in East China's Shandong province is positioning artificial intelligence as a primary factor in industry upgrades, approving the "Yantai AI+ Action Plan (2026–28)" on March 2 to advance its manufacturing sector from digital transformation to a higher level of intelligence.

The plan outlines a "1+3+N" industry layout, with measures including the development of AI-native enterprises, enhanced computing power, and the establishment of an AI industry fund. As Yantai approaches 1.3 trillion yuan ($189.39 billion) in industrial output, AI reflects its strong industrial foundation and a forward-looking approach to future trends.

Yantai's AI strategy is based on practical applications, launching an intelligent manufacturing initiative that integrates the industrial internet with large models. The city plans to bring together over 200 service providers and advance 300 digital transformation projects. Leading companies like Wanhua Chemical Group and CIMC Raffles have already integrated AI into production, with Gogetter Intelligence's chemical model achieving over 90 percent accuracy in analysis.

Dedicated to creating industry-specific scenarios, Yantai is applying AI in smart factories, marine observation, smart cities, and governance. The city aims to establish more than 10 provincial-level AI demonstration scenarios within three years, creating a replicable "Yantai Model".

By 2028, Yantai hopes to have over 50 vertical industry models with over 70 percent adoption of intelligent terminals. It aspires to become a provincial AI leader and national pioneer in AI innovation and represent more than one-ninth of Shandong's core AI industry output.