Core Insights - The competition among digital chain leaders is inherently global, driven by the rapid advancement of AI and smart technologies, which are disrupting traditional chain leaders [2][3] - Digital and intelligent transformation is becoming a new trend in global production networks, with the potential to revolutionize human production and lifestyle [2][3] - The emergence of digital chain leaders, or "smart chain leaders," is crucial as they integrate material and data through AI, enhancing production capabilities and decision-making intelligence [3][5] Group 1: Impact of AI on Traditional Chain Leaders - The acceleration of intelligent transformation is leading to the replacement of traditional chain leaders, with smart chain leaders striving to be the first to achieve large-scale AI practical application [5][6] - The historical context shows that once AI surpasses certain thresholds, it can lead to disruptive changes across industries, as seen in examples like the evolution of Go and the automation of parking systems [6][7] - The urgency for businesses to embrace AI is palpable, with a growing anxiety among entrepreneurs to understand and leverage AI technologies [7][8] Group 2: Differentiation Between Digitalization and Intelligentization - Digitalization is recognized for its potential to enhance efficiency, but its benefits are often indirect and limited, while intelligentization can dramatically improve production efficiency [8][9] - The competition among smart chain leaders is global, as breakthroughs in intelligentization can lead to significant productivity gains, posing existential threats to traditional chain leaders [8][9] Group 3: Technical Routes and Responsibilities of Smart Chain Leaders - The debate over AI's development routes—AI hegemony versus AI equality—highlights the importance of smart chain leaders in driving industry-specific AI applications [9][10] - Smart chain leaders must undertake deep digitalization to align with intelligentization needs, moving beyond superficial digital efforts to detailed process digitization [12][13] - They also need to adapt to rapid AI iterations, engaging in a continuous learning process to remain competitive [13][14] Group 4: Long-term Process of Societal Digitalization - The journey towards societal digitalization is expected to be lengthy, with significant industry reshuffling akin to the impact of the internet on various sectors [15] - The development of general artificial intelligence (AGI) and industry-specific AI applications are critical areas for future focus, requiring collaboration among industry players to establish smart chain leaders [15]