(Yicai) Feb. 12 — China is calling for the widespread introduction of artificial intelligence in public tenders and tenders by the end of this year to ensure fair and efficient processes, the latest step in the fight against corruption.
AI should begin being used in some Chinese provinces and cities this year to inspect bids and bid documents, assist in evaluation, identify collusion, and in other important scenarios, according to a policy paper jointly released by the National Development and Reform Commission and seven other government agencies on February 10.
By the end of 2027, the use of AI should be expanded to more tenders and bidding scenarios across the country, and practical experience in model training, scenario application, and institutional support to effectively promote the healthy development of the market should be formed.
NDRC spokesperson Li Chao previously said that the use of AI in public tenders is an important reform issue in the market. The technology can automatically identify and prohibit unreasonable requirements that restrict competition during bidding, detect illegal collusion among bidders in an intrusive manner during bidding, and facilitate the transition from traditional human-driven evaluation to “AI-driven examination with human assistance,” Lee said.
The document outlines 20 key AI usage scenarios covering the entire transaction process and key management nodes, categorized into six stages: bidding, tendering, bid opening and evaluation, bid award, field management, and supervision.
It is necessary to realize “transparent transactions” in public bidding using AI, standardize procedures, improve transparency, strengthen the scientific nature of transactions, accurately align with project demand, and strengthen the penetration and efficiency of supervision.
Pan Helin, a member of the Information and Communication Economic Expert Committee under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, told Yitzai that the implementation of the policy will improve bidding efficiency and regulatory oversight and promote a fair and competitive market environment.
Editor: Shihua Tang, Martin Kadyev
