China’s Li Qiang urges faster industrial AI adoption at meeting with Moonshot AI founder

Yang Zhilin, founder of fast-rising start-up Moonshot AI, has become the latest artificial intelligence entrepreneur to meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang, as Beijing steps up its push to accelerate the digital transformation of manufacturing.The 32-year-old was among a select group of business leaders and experts invited to a high-level symposium on Friday, where participants offered views on China’s economic resilience and future growth drivers.Li acknowledged that the external environment had become more complex and volatile this year, but said the economy had made a strong start, supported by the timely roll-out of proactive macroeconomic policies.He urged a deeper implementation of the country’s “AI plus” strategy, calling for faster integration of AI into manufacturing to drive digital and intelligent upgrades. The premier also emphasised the need to combine advanced manufacturing with modern services to strengthen the broader industrial system.In addition, Li called on participants to tap into emerging sectors to create jobs, boost incomes and expand domestic demand, while encouraging entrepreneurs to play a leading role in innovation and employment.Founder of Moonshot AI, Yang Zhilin, delivers a speech at the 2026 Zhongguancun Forum, in Beijing on March 25, 2026. Photo: ReutersOther attendees included Guo Lei, chief economist at GF Securities; Ma Guangrong, a finance professor at China" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="82709" data-entity-type="organization">Renmin University of China; and Feng Boming, chairman of China-merchants-port-holdings" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="107627" data-entity-type="organization">China Merchants Port Holdings.