Shanghai outlines software and information services plan through 2030

Shanghai has released its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) for the software and information services industry, with a focus on deepening the sector's integration with AI.

By 2030, Shanghai aims for the software and information services industry to generate 4 trillion yuan ($593 billion) in output. The value added of the information transmission, software, and information technology services sector is expected to reach at least 1.1 trillion yuan, while research and development investment intensity in the software industry is expected to reach at least 10 percent.

AI-enabled transformation in key sectors

In the internet sector, Shanghai will encourage e-commerce, social networking, and local lifestyle service platforms to accelerate the adoption of AI and develop industry-specific large models and AI agents. The city will foster new business models and services such as AI-powered personalized consumer services, immersive social spaces, and AI assistants serving a wide range of use cases.

To support the software sector, Shanghai will accelerate the use of AI in industrial drafting, engineering design, production scheduling, and other applications. It will also develop AI-native software integrating lightweight models and industry knowledge bases.

To back the creation of digital content, Shanghai will support AI-assisted tools and creation platforms for online games, online literature, audio and video content, and micro-dramas, covering processes including script generation, original artwork, modeling and rendering, character generation, storyboarding, dubbing, and music production.

To strengthen cybersecurity, Shanghai will promote the integration of AI across security defense, detection, response, and governance. Third-party institutions will also be supported in providing model security testing, content compliance assessment, and AI security consulting.

To boost industry, Shanghai will build high-quality industrial datasets and industry-specific models, while incubating AI agents and industrial applications for specific sectors. It also plans to develop about 10 "AI-native" factories featuring extensive deployment of AI agents, close human-machine collaboration, and integrated applications across multiple use cases.

Six emerging fields

Shanghai will pursue the development of six emerging fields:

·AI agent economy

Develop general-purpose and industry-specific agents and collaborative multi-agent systems, while exploring new business models such as agent-as-a-service.

·AI games

Develop immersive games capable of autonomously generating storylines and supporting real-time interaction, while exploring open worlds, nonlinear narratives, and personalized storyline generation.

·Software for next-generation devices

Develop specialized operating systems, main control software, and high-end embedded software for embodied AI, low-altitude equipment, smart wearables, and brain-computer interfaces.

·Virtual reality

Integrate extended reality technologies with large models and industry knowledge bases. Develop demonstration projects for industrial training, vocational education, and cultural tourism showcases and performances.

·Native security

Explore a model-defined security architecture and develop AI-enabled cryptography and quantum security technologies.

·Physics simulation

Develop world models capable of physical understanding, real-time simulation, and autonomous iteration, with applications in embodied AI, aerospace, biomedicine, and other fields.

·Industry clusters across Shanghai

Shanghai will develop a citywide spatial network for the software and information services industry, comprising an innovation ring along the Middle Ring linking key areas, two major hubs in Xuhui and Pudong, and three development areas in Jiading, Qingpu, and Songjiang.

The innovation ring will connect key areas in Yangpu, Hongkou, Jing'an, Changning, Putuo, and Minhang. Yangpu will focus on the platform economy and digital content; Hongkou on AI-enabled fintech; Jing'an on AI-enabled professional services, internet services, and the data element industry; Changning on AI-enabled digital lifestyle and entertainment services; Putuo on local lifestyle services and AI-enabled cybersecurity; and Minhang on industrial software and AI-enabled producer services.

The two major hubs will be the Xuhui waterfront and Zhangjiang in Pudong New Area. The Xuhui waterfront will focus on general-purpose core technologies such as large AI models, AI agents, online games, and embodied AI. Zhangjiang will focus on foundational technologies including intelligent chips, embodied AI, and intelligent computing services.

Among the three development areas, Jiading will focus on automotive software, Qingpu on the information technology application innovation industry and other information technologies, and Songjiang on the industrial internet and AI-enabled manufacturing.

The plan also calls for closer integration of foreign-invested enterprises into Shanghai's innovation ecosystem and efforts to attract teams of high-caliber and highly skilled software professionals from China and abroad to innovate and launch ventures in the city.