What if the factory floor became the testing ground for artificial intelligence (AI)? In Shandong that is already happening. The 2026 Artificial Intelligence Industry Conference, which is being held in the provincial capital Jinan from Oct 14 to 16, is showcasing how AI is reshaping one of China's industrial heartlands under the theme "Accelerating AI-Empowered New Industrialization".

The conference serves as a window into Shandong's broader AI push, which is deeply rooted in its industrial strength. Shandong's AI core industry revenue exceeded 85 billion yuan ($12.7 billion) in the first half of 2026, up 33.2 percent year-on-year. Full-year revenue is expected to surpass 160 billion yuan, accounting for roughly one-tenth of the national total.

This rapid growth is underpinned by Shandong's unparalleled industrial depth. As the only province in the country with all 41 major industrial categories, Shandong hosts 197 medium and 603 industrial subcategories. It contributes one-fifth of the nation's chemical output and 11 percent of its food production. Some 35 percent of China's commercial vehicles, 50 percent of its high-speed train cars and 80 percent of its deep-sea drilling platforms are made in Shandong.

This vast manufacturing base serves as an ideal testing ground for AI. Shandong now has 46 national-level industrial internet platforms and 18 national digital pilot enterprises, both ranking first nationwide. A total of 2,522 enterprises have completed data management maturity assessments, also leading the country. Ten of Shandong's industrial large models have been listed among China's top 50, the highest number of any province.