China Media Group (CMG), working with several think tanks and universities, released its top 10 artificial intelligence trends for 2026. The new report highlights major shifts in AI governance, computing power, and widespread application of intelligent agents. It also points to the growing importance of "Green AI" and advanced robotics.These trends are expected to profoundly impact industries and daily life around the world.[news+3]
Global AI Governance and Computing Power Surge
The report emphasizes that AI governance will go global in 2026. Inclusive and shared AI development is now a central part of the international agenda.Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed creating a World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization at the November 2025 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.This organization would aim to provide AI-related public goods globally, boosting international cooperation for economic growth and tackling issues like climate change and public health.China also updated its AI Safety Governance Framework 2.0 in September, promoting a safe and trustworthy AI ecosystem.[bizzbuzz+4]
Intelligent computing power is set for rapid expansion. Advances in chip technology are driving a surge in capacity.The large-scale use of domestic AI chips is expected in specific applications.GPU clusters, with tens of thousands of units, are now standard for training large AI models.China's "Eastern Data, Western Computing" initiative has also improved nationwide access to these vital computing resources.The fast growth of AI data centers will significantly increase global electricity demand, raising concerns about energy supply and environmental impact.[bizzbuzz+5]
AI Agents and Native Devices Transform User Experience
AI applications will move into the mainstream, with intelligent agents seeing wide adoption across many industries.These agents will shift from general-purpose tools to specialized solutions that focus on specific tasks.In January, the Chinese government released an action plan to secure core AI technologies. This plan aims to launch 1,000 high-level industrial AI agents by 2027.The report notes that core AI technologies are evolving from simple tools into intelligent partners.[news+6]
Multi-modal interaction will also see greater deployment. AI systems are becoming intelligent collaborators, moving beyond being standalone tools.Breakthroughs in domestic large language models in 2025 significantly reduced deployment costs.Next-generation smart terminals are merging with immersive experiences.AI smartphones and other AI-powered devices continued strong growth in 2025.Terminal hardware is changing from AI-adapted tools to AI-native designs.New AI smartphones, PCs, and Extended Reality (XR) devices will integrate deeply with multi-modal large models, redefining education, health management, and entertainment.[bizzbuzz+5]
Embodied Intelligence and AI for Scientific Discovery
The convergence of AI and embodied intelligence means robots are ready for mass production, moving beyond prototype development.These robots will find applications in inspection, service halls, factories, elderly care, and healthcare.China's embodied intelligence market is projected to reach about 5.3 billion yuan (approximately $759 million) in 2025, making up about 27 percent of the global total.In 2026, intelligent robots for large-scale production are expected in manufacturing, warehousing, and home services.[news+6]
"AI for Science" is also delivering disruptive breakthroughs in fundamental research.AI models are increasingly able to generate hypotheses, design experiments, and validate results.This drives innovation in areas like materials science, astrophysics, life sciences, drug discovery, and antibody design.This specialization within scientific domains promises to accelerate discovery and development across many fields.[news+4]
Green AI, Safety, and Frontier Convergence
A heightened focus on energy issues, particularly "Green AI," is a key trend.The rapid expansion of AI data centers is expected to greatly increase global electricity demand.This raises concerns about energy supply and environmental impact.The industry is working to balance the growth of computing power with carbon emissions control.This includes developing more efficient model architectures and using clean-energy-powered computing centers.[news+9]
The escalation of safety and adversarial challenges remains a critical concern.China's upgraded AI Safety Governance Framework 2.0, released in September, aims to form a safe, trustworthy, and controllable AI development ecosystem.This framework establishes a collaborative governance model that crosses borders, fields, and industries.The report stresses that safety is more critical for AI development.Governance rules and technical tools addressing AI ethics, privacy, and security are expected to advance quickly to ensure the AI industry's orderly and sustainable development.The convergence across frontier fields will also continue to drive new innovations.[news+7]
CMG's report underscores that AI is becoming integral to human activity, from industry to daily interactions. Its governance and inclusive access are critically important for navigating the future of artificial intelligence.[news]
