China outlines plan to expand use of AI across health system by 2030

China has set out plans to significantly broaden the use of artificial intelligence across the country’s healthcare system over the coming years, according to a document jointly released by the National Health Commission (NHC) and four other government bodies.

The guidance outlines targets for 2030, including the widespread adoption of intelligent diagnosis and treatment support tools in primary-level medical institutions such as community health centres and village clinics. By the end of the decade, hospitals at or above the second tier of China’s three-grade system are expected to routinely use AI technologies in areas such as medical imaging and clinical decision support.

The document also encourages greater use of AI in patient-facing services. Hospitals are expected to expand the deployment of intelligent systems covering appointment-scheduling, triage, pre-diagnosis and follow-up care, with the aim of streamlining the full patient journey.

In public health, authorities intend to upgrade China’s intelligent epidemiological investigation systems to enable real-time and more precise support for infectious disease prevention and control.

A policy interpretation published by the NHC provides further detail on the government’s thinking. It states that the new measures align with the State Council’s broader “Artificial Intelligence+” initiative, which calls for the development of AI-enabled health assistants and the expansion of AI applications in diagnosis, health management and medical insurance services.

According to the interpretation, the approach rests on four principles: prioritising real-world applications, strengthening primary healthcare, encouraging collaboration between government, industry and research institutions, and ensuring safety and controllability. Authorities emphasise that AI should support—rather than replace—clinicians, and that data security and privacy protection remain central to the plan.

The implementation framework covers five areas: overall objectives for 2027 and 2030; expansion of 24 key application scenarios; improvements to infrastructure, data supply and technical standards; enhanced safety supervision; and organisational measures to support rollout.

The NHC said it will work with other ministries to strengthen policy coordination, expand pilot projects, develop industry standards, and promote best practices across regions. The commission also highlighted plans to advance clinical datasets, AI model resources and shared industry platforms, with the aim of accelerating safe and regulated adoption nationwide.