[Preface for special issue on AI-driven biomanufacturing].

Biomanufacturing is one of important strategies for sustainable development, China places significant emphasis on the development of biomanufacturing, and the national and local governments have successively introduced special policies for biomanufacturing, and vigorously developing biomanufacturing has become an unstoppable trend. At present, with the rapid development of systems biology and synthetic biology, biological big data and information technology are deeply integrating with biotechnology. Novel theories, methods and technologies for the design, creation and application of biological systems are constantly emerging, which promoted the development of biomanufacturing into the era of artificial intelligence (AI). In order to grasp the innovation and development of AI-driven biomanufacturing, we publish this special issue to review the opportunities, challenges, and development status of AI-driven biomanufacturing from aspects such as AI-driven enabling technologies, intelligent design and construction of biological parts, circuits and artificial cells, as well as intelligent bioprocess control and optimization, and look forward to the future developments. This will provide valuable references for effectively promoting technological innovation and industrial development in the field of biomanufacturing.