Sci-tech services on the ascent

More than 1,000 participants from over 100 countries and regions exchanged views and insights on topics related to the "deep integration of technological and industrial innovation" at the Zhongguancun Forum Annual Conference held in Beijing from 25 to 29 March.

The conference once again placed frontier technologies such as quantum science, embodied intelligence and 6G in the global spotlight. Beyond these headline-grabbing innovations, however, another development quietly signalled a structural shift in China's innovation landscape.

For the first time, the forum featured a parallel session dedicated to the high-quality development of the science and technology services industry, highlighting an industry long working behind the scenes as a powerful driver of economic growth.

AI reshapes the sector

If policy provides the foundation, digitalisation, especially artificial intelligence (AI), is rapidly reshaping the future of the industry. At the forum, an action initiative on high-quality development emphasised the need for deeper integration of digital and intelligent technologies throughout the entire science and technology services value chain. The goal is to create a new paradigm of "AI-powered science and technology services," delivering solutions that are more precise, efficient, and impactful for the real economy.

The impact of AI is already tangible. From research and design to technology transfer, and from testing and certification to incubation and acceleration, intelligent systems are not only enhancing efficiency, but also enabling innovative business models.

Entrepreneurship platform Dark Horse, for instance, has developed AI-driven tools to match technology firms with relevant government policies, helping companies to identify support measures more effectively. It has also built global communities connecting young scientists with enterprises, and launched intelligent matching systems for entrepreneurs and investment.

Meanwhile, Beijing-based lab solutions provider Dinaflow has attracted attention with its lights-out laboratories - fully AI-driven experimental environments capable of self-optimisation and continuous learning. Compared with traditional automated laboratories, these systems can conduct multiple experiments simultaneously, correct errors in real time and improve efficiency.

These examples highlight how AI is reshaping how science and technology services are delivered and scaled.

Looking ahead

Despite its rapid growth, China's science and technology services industry remains in an emerging stage, particularly in a global context. As a result, internationalisation has become a key driver of its development.

Jia Kang, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Fiscal Sciences, noted that China's science and technology services exports grew by 8.8 percent in 2024, with significant advances in areas such as AI and green energy. Nevertheless, challenges persist, including barriers to the flow of key resources, gaps in innovation capacity, and limited influence in shaping international standards.

To address these issues, Jia argues that China must shift from a factor-based approach to institutional opening, aligning more closely with global standards in regulation, governance and management. Achieving this will require deeper reforms, enhanced facilitation of cross-border flows, strengthened domestic innovation capabilities, and more robust policy support systems.

For Li, the future of the industry hinges on coordinated efforts at multiple levels. The central government must provide clear strategic guidance, while local governments should cultivate supportive environments that allow them to benefit from the industry's spillover effects. Enterprises, in turn, require incentives and institutional support to innovate and collaborate effectively. Industry associations, he adds, can help by addressing practical challenges.

As China moves into its next stage of development, the science and technology services industry is set to assume an increasingly central role. No longer a supporting player, it is emerging as a key engine driving the integration of innovation and industry.