High-tech skills to power real economy China has launched a major policy push to democratize artificial intelligence skills across its workforce, aiming to bridge the gap between high-level technological development and its real economy to drive long-term industrial productivity. The push follows top-level directives, including the State Council's August 2025 guidelines on the "AI+" action plan and an April 2026 Ministry of Education framework targeting universal AI literacy by 2030. In January, Zhang Yunming, vice-minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said that China's core AI industry exceeded 1.2 trillion yuan ($178 billion) across 6,000 enterprise players in 2025. At the annual two sessions in March, National Development and Reform Commission Chairman Zheng Shanjie estimated the broader AI ecosystem will top 10 trillion yuan during the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–30) period. To reach these macroeconomic targets, national authorities are pinning their hopes on widespread AI application in traditional sectors like manufacturing, textiles, power and healthcare. At the local level, municipal initiatives are serving as direct matchmakers between technology vendors and regional industrial hubs. In Nantong, Jiangsu province, the government-backed "Oasis Spark AI Night School" offers free courses ranging from basic office automation to industry-specific applications in home textiles and medical care. A recent "AI + Home Textiles" session drew nearly 20,000 online and offline participants. Wang Hao, general manager of Nantong Minxing Software Co, said he was drawn to the event due to the strong local home textile industry cluster and became more confident about establishing his project there as a one-person company. Wang, who was invited to deliver a project roadshow that evening, said he received friend-request messages from eight home textile entrepreneurs, and is now busy visiting the companies, connecting with their needs and steadily advancing cooperation. "Startups lack channels and resources. The AI night school,