China Issues First Official Policy on AI Agents

In a landmark move, China’s cyberspace administration, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) jointly released the nation’s first systematic policy on intelligent agents. The ‘Implementation Opinions on Standardized Application and Innovative Development of Intelligent Agents’ outlines 19 specific use cases, sets a 70% adoption target by 2027, and introduces a classified and graded governance framework to regulate the technology’s large-scale deployment.

Policy Outlines 19 Typical Application Scenarios for Intelligent Agents

The document identifies 19 typical application scenarios spanning manufacturing, healthcare, finance, education, and smart city management. These scenarios are designed to serve as blueprints for companies and local governments, providing clear paths for deploying agent-based solutions in domains like automated customer service, intelligent supply chain coordination, and real-time traffic optimization.

70% Agent Adoption Rate Target Set for 2027

A key numerical target is embedded in the policy: by 2027, the adoption rate of intelligent agents across major industries should reach at least 70%. This ambitious goal signals China’s intent to accelerate the integration of autonomous decision-making systems into the national economy, pushing enterprises to upgrade from traditional software to agent-driven workflows.

Classified and Graded Governance Framework Proposed

To manage risks without stifling innovation, the policy proposes a tiered governance approach. Agents will be classified based on their autonomy level, scope of action, and potential societal impact. High-risk applications—such as those in autonomous driving or medical diagnosis—will face stricter mandatory requirements, while low-risk scenarios will operate under a lighter-touch registration system.

Policy Fills Regulatory Vacuum, Aims for Largest-Ever Agent Deployment

Industry analysts view this as the first comprehensive regulatory framework for intelligent agents in China, filling a gap that existed as the technology surged ahead of governance. By combining scenario-based guidance with a risk-tiered management structure, the policy aims to create a safe yet fertile environment for what could become the world’s largest deployment of AI agents—spanning everything from factory floors to digital government services.