China Media Group (CMG), in collaboration with the China Center for Information Industry Development, the Administrative Committee of Wuhan East Lake High-tech Development Zone (Optics Valley of China, or OVC), and other institutions, recently unveiled the top 10 artificial intelligence (AI) trends for 2026. 

These cover key areas such as technology, application, governance, and energy consumption, providing a roadmap for industry development.

The trends indicate significant breakthroughs on the technological front. Embodied AI technology is advancing, with landmark products in the realm of smart robots expected to launch soon in manufacturing and home services, leading to their widespread trial use. Additionally, the integration of AI with scientific research is deepening, with brain-like intelligence and interdisciplinary innovation emerging as new directions.

In the application and infrastructure sectors, highlights include the scaling of intelligent computing power, the deployment of domestic AI chips in specific scenarios, and the continuous improvement of computing facilities. The wide application of native AI terminal hardware is creating new consumption scenarios that blend virtual and real experiences. Green AI is a key focus, with data center energy consumption becoming a pressing issue, making regions with clean energy advantages investment hotspots.

Governance and security are upgrading in tandem. Global AI governance is progressing, with China advocating for the establishment of cooperative organizations to build international collaboration platforms. The development of rules and technical tools for ethics and privacy protection is accelerating, fortifying the industry's healthy growth.