Thoughts and Suggestions on Constructing an Indigenous Knowledge System of China’s AI Economics: A Review and Evaluation of Domestic and Foreign Literature on the Theme of AI Economy

Hu Xiaopeng; Wang Pengyu; Gao Hongmin

doi:doi:10.16538/j.cnki.jsufe.2026.04.001

Summary

In recent years, the socioeconomic impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) have attracted extensive attention from scholars at home and abroad. The AI economic theories developed by Western scholars based on their national value orientations and practical experiences have shown growing limitations in driving China’s economic development. As a core engine leading the development of new quality productive forces, AI represents a new type of factor that is fundamentally different from traditional industrial technologies. The fundamental positioning of China’s independent AI economics lies in upholding theoretical self-reliance and fulfilling the dual mission of being rooted in China’s national conditions and responding to global development needs. In terms of research content, it is necessary to integrate three major elements: the dual effects of efficiency improvement and equity challenges with Chinese characteristics, scenario-driven innovation pathways, and the dynamic balance of man-computer symbiosis. It is proposed that an analytical framework featuring the coordination of “technology-institution-society” should be constructed for China’s independent AI economics tailored to national conditions. By sorting out the evolution of research paradigms in AI economics and aligning with China’s goals for AI development and application, this paper clarifies the limitations of current research. It also identifies five key theoretical issues that need to be addressed: the impact mechanism of AI technology, the comprehensive evaluation system and goal balance of AI technology, the national governance paradigm and global governance architecture of AI, the impact of AI technology on the platform economy and industrial transformation, and the relationship between AI technology and the innovation system. This paper aims to advance theoretical research on China’s independent AI economics and enhance China’s academic discourse power in the field of AI.