Story perspectives

China Targets First AI Society by 2035

1/22/2026

Center

China's AI Ambition

China aims to become the world's first AI society by 2035, integrating AI into daily life.
The government designates Baidu and Tencent as key providers of AI services to support this vision.
Agentic commerce develops as AI tools enable transactions directly within platforms, increasing user engagement.
Because of export restrictions, firms pursue a "poor man's way" prioritizing efficiency over computing power, accelerating deployment in agriculture and healthcare via open-source models.

Right

Karp Advocates AI

Alex Karp, Palantir Technologies CEO, said at the World Economic Forum that AI can bolster civil liberties while risking job displacement.
He criticized Europe's slow tech adoption as a structural issue widening the U.S.–Europe AI gap.
He said AI will transform rather than eliminate jobs, making vocational skills increasingly valuable.
The remarks reflect a broader trend of rapid AI progress in the U.S. while Europe lags.

History

Historical Context

The U.S. National Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Strategic Plan, launched in 2016 with a $1.1 billion investment, aimed to bolster AI innovation, paralleling China's goal to lead in AI by 2035. This global competition raises concerns about job displacement and civil liberties, emphasizing the need for adaptive vocational training as AI technologies increasingly transform industries and the workforce.

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China's AI Ambition

China aims to become the world's first AI society by 2035, integrating AI into daily life.
The government designates Baidu and Tencent as key providers of AI services to support this vision.
Agentic commerce develops as AI tools enable transactions directly within platforms, increasing user engagement.
Because of export restrictions, firms pursue a "poor man's way" prioritizing efficiency over computing power, accelerating deployment in agriculture and healthcare via open-source models.

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