China Outlines Plan for Comprehensive AI-Driven Upgrades in Key Software by 2030
China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology released the "AI + Software" Special Action Implementation Plan, targeting comprehensive AI-driven upgrades for key software by 2030. Intermediate milestones for 2028 include deploying AI solutions across 20,000 scale-eligible software enterprises and building 100 benchmark AI agent applications in key industries. This policy signals a state-backed push to integrate generative AI and autonomous agents directly into software engineering and essential industrial software like CAD, CAE, and EDA. By modernizing its software industry, China aims to significantly boost engineering productivity and strengthen domestic technological independence. The plan outlines six priority directions, including AI-driven smart coding tools, automated code vulnerability detection, universal AI agents, and dedicated AI agent app stores and skill repositories. It also encourages joint innovation between software developers and hardware makers in smartphones, smart homes, and connected vehicles, alongside workforce retraining initiatives.
## BACKGROUND
Industrial software tools like Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE), and Electronic Design Automation (EDA) are essential for modern product manufacturing, physics simulation, and semiconductor microchip design. Simultaneously, AI agents are software systems powered by large language models that can autonomously perform multi-step workflows, code, and execute complex technical tasks.