What happened
Figures shared at a September 4 event in Guangzhou put Guangdong's core AI industry scale above 300 billion yuan. The event, part of the 21st China International SME Fair, was co-hosted by the Guangdong Department of Industry and Information Technology and the Guangdong Communications Administration.
Guangdong has positioned small and medium-sized enterprises as the main force for digital transformation in manufacturing, moving from isolated single-point pilots to a chain transformation model. To date, the province has built more than 400 lighthouse-style benchmark projects, including 5G factories, and has driven over 5,000 SMEs across 40 industries to undergo digital chain transformation, helping more than 55,000 above-designated-size industrial enterprises begin digital upgrades.
The province is also using AI to help SMEs improve quality and efficiency. It has fostered industrial large models, released ten key industry application scenarios, built 1+1+N embodied intelligence training grounds, and is developing a national AI application pilot base for consumer mobile terminals. In addition, Guangdong has cultivated 22 national-level and 383 provincial-level smart factories. The event also published a results list for city pilot long-term mechanisms, launched a manufacturing digital transformation public service platform 2.0, and showcased AI applications, smart terminal experiences, and digital transformation achievements.
Why it matters
The scale figure shows AI has become a substantial industry in Guangdong, while the chain transformation model indicates that digitalization is spreading through supply chains rather than staying isolated in a few pilot projects.
With more than 55,000 industrial enterprises already engaged and AI-specific infrastructure such as embodied intelligence training grounds and the application pilot base taking shape, Guangdong is offering a practical path for AI to upgrade SMEs in manufacturing.
Key facts
Guangdong's AI core industry scale has exceeded 300 billion yuan.
Guangdong has built over 400 lighthouse-style benchmark projects, including 5G factories, with the number ranking among the top nationally.
More than 5,000 SMEs in 40 industries underwent digital chain transformation, driving over 55,000 above-designated-size industrial enterprises to pursue digitalization.
What to watch next
Whether Guangdong expands its chain transformation approach to more industries and how the new public service platform 2.0 accelerates SME digital adoption.
How the national AI application pilot base for consumer mobile terminals translates into practical AI products and services for SMEs.
Whether the number of national and provincial smart factories continues to rise as AI empowerment spreads across key sectors.