China’s PBOC Plans “AI+” Action for Financial Sector

Li Wei, Director of the Science and Technology Department at the People’s Bank of China, emphasized AI’s role in finance at the China Wealth Management 50 Forum on December 28.

AI’s integration into finance aims to drive digital transformation, aligned with China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, highlighting its strategic importance in advancing industry-wide technological growth.

China’s AI in Finance Driven by PBOC’s New Strategy

Li Wei, Director at the People’s Bank of China, stated AI’s critical importance for the financial sector during the China Wealth Management 50 Forum. His remarks underscored AI’s potential to transform digital finance, supporting the broader “AI+” action plan within China’s 15th Five-Year Plan. The PBOC anticipates AI’s role will focus on financial governance, cross-border capital monitoring, and shared computing infrastructures. This plan seeks to fill current gaps faced by smaller institutions, addressing critical technology shortages.

Market reactions have been cautious, with major financial institutions noting the potential for AI integration rather than immediate changes. No new funding or direct policy change announcements followed, highlighting a methodical approach rather than immediate transformation. Experts anticipate gradual policy alignments reflecting the new AI framework.

China’s Tech Shift: AI to Lead Financial Strategy

Did you know? China previously explored a fintech supervisory sandbox, but now aims to leapfrog with AI integration, signifying a strategic shift towards technological leadership in finance.

Ethereum (ETH) is valued at $2,939.63, recording a 24-hour trading volume of $7.52 billion with a slight growth of 0.31%. The cryptocurrency’s market cap stands at $354.80 billion with a market dominance of 11.93%, as per CoinMarketCap data dated December 28, 2025. However, in the past ninety days, ETH has experienced a decline of 28.90%.

Analysts from Coincu highlight a unique opportunity for innovative technological adoption in China’s finance sector enabled by AI. They observe potential regulatory adjustments leading to AI-driven advancements in financial governance and sectorial efficiency. This aligns with historical government initiatives targeting technological leadership. China reasserts ban on crypto.