TOPSHOT - A girl plays with a robot during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) at the Shanghai World Expo and Convention Center in Shanghai on July 28, 2025. (Photo by Hector RETAMAL / AFP) (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images)
On June 18, China’s Ministry of Commerce and seven other government bodies released 17 measures to promote “AI plus consumption.” Beijing wants households to try AI products, local governments to support new smart terminals and companies to build service scenarios where AI does more than answer questions. In essence, government agencies want to expand AI’s reach in consumer electronics, home appliances, wearables, retail, tourism, restaurants, health services, elder care and humanoid robots. And in doing so, motivate customers to buy new products with AI capabilities. Beijing is asking whether AI can make people buy things again.
China Aiming To Solve A Consumer Problem
The timing is hard to ignore. China’s retail sales fell 0.6% in May 2026, the first decline since December 2022, according to official data reported by Reuters. Industrial output rose 4.5% in the same month, helped in part by high tech manufacturing and global demand tied to AI. In a weak economy, the most valuable model may be the one that gets someone to replace a product, such as an old air conditioner.
