China and South Korea have integrated artificial intelligence into their national scientific and economic development strategies for 2026–2030. According to the HSE Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge, both nations are shifting from treating AI as a standalone research field to using it as a cross-cutting tool for industrial and scientific transformation.
China's strategy, outlined in the 15th Five-Year Plan and the August 2025 AI+ initiative, focuses on the mass diffusion of AI and commercialization. The country is developing an integrated network of supercomputers, intelligent computing centers, and cloud platforms. Key priorities include physical AI, robotics, and the establishment of regulatory sandboxes to manage investment risks.
South Korea's Sixth Basic Plan for Science and Technology, released in June 2026, aims to create a public-private pool of 260 000 GPUs by 2030. The government is embedding AI directly into research processes through AI co-scientists and autonomous laboratories. These efforts are supported by institutional reforms, including long-term funding models and reduced administrative burdens.
The experience of both countries demonstrates that successful AI integration requires a comprehensive overhaul of the research environment. This includes combining robust computing infrastructure with broad access, implementing AI-driven research workflows, and creating mechanisms that accelerate the transition from laboratory concepts to practical industrial applications.