AI-Enabled Industrial Innovation in the Low-Altitude Economy: Logical Mechanisms and Practical Pathways

Zheng Wang; Yi Tang; Bing Liu; Yulong Zhou; Xin Yuan

doi:10.54691/v9xtbm22

Authors

Zheng Wang School of Artificial Intelligence, Hebei Institute of Communications, Shijiazhuang, China
Yi Tang School of Aeronautical Engineering, Hunan Automotive Engineering Vocational University, Zhuzhou, China
Bing Liu School of Artificial Intelligence, Hebei Institute of Communications, Shijiazhuang, China
Yulong Zhou School of Artificial Intelligence, Hebei Institute of Communications, Shijiazhuang, China
Xin Yuan School of Artificial Intelligence, Hebei Institute of Communications, Shijiazhuang, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54691/v9xtbm22

Keywords:

Low-altitude economy, artificial intelligence, industrial innovation, scenario-driven innovation, intelligent infrastructure.

Abstract

The low-altitude economy is a strategic requirement in China. However, its high quality development encounters some institutional lag and shortage of intelligent infrastructure. The paper discusses how artificial intelligence (AI), a general-purpose technology, promotes the industrial innovation of low-altitude economy by integrated logical, feasible path. Based on context driven innovation theory, industrial innovation ecosystem theory, Pasteur's quadrant theory and new whole-of-nation system theory, we develop a framework of three logical channels-technology empowerment, scenario driving and industrial upgrading-to summarize the intrinsic relationship between AI and low-altitude economic development.Our exploration discovered the three inter-weaving drivers: a value logic through which AI brings about multi-level high-quality development (micro-level factor upgrading, meso-level industrial ecology evolution, and macro-level growth pattern change); an operation logic rooted in scenario-driven digital intelligent empowerment, where specific application requirements drive technological selection and technology capability, data capability and intelligent processing capability; and a realization logic that involves some major technologies (5G/6G communications, AI path making) and supportive institutional environments. Following these findings, we give four practical pathways-scenario driving innovative development, data value transmitting, intelligent infrastructure raising and industrial ecology synergy-and the explicit policy advice for practical actions include airspace management reform, enduring investment of low-altitude equipment and communication, navigation and surveillance facilities and techniques, air-traffic management modernization, and expanded application cross-field scenarios. Contributing to the literature, our study provides a detailed theoretical understanding about AI-enabled industrial transformation in the emerging economic areas, which can serve China’s large-scale high-quality, leapfrog from regional pilots to the development of the low-altitude economy.

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