The Impact of AI and Information Disclosure Quality on Manufacturers’ TFP

Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a pivotal driver in promoting the efficiency of economic growth. The ‎existing studies have predominantly focused on macro- or cross-industry perspectives, and research targeting ‎manufacturers remains relatively limited. This study, based on data from Chinese manufacturing enterprises, ‎elaborates on the impact of AI on total factor productivity (TFP) to address the role of information disclosure ‎quality (IDQ) in this relationship from a non-technical perspective. The findings indicate that AI significantly ‎promotes TFP in manufacturing, a conclusion that holds through a series of robustness checks. And the ‎underlying mechanisms of such promotion lie in increased R&D investment and enhanced innovation output. ‎Heterogeneity analysis reveals that the positive effect of AI is more pronounced in younger manufacturers and ‎those with lower tax burdens. Further analysis suggests that high-quality information disclosure amplifies the ‎productivity-enhancing effect of AI. These findings provide new empirical evidence for understanding the ‎effectiveness of AI applications in manufacturing in an information context, and offer insights for ‎policy-making aimed at advancing intelligent manufacturing transformation, particularly in countries where ‎manufacturing plays a vital role in the national economy‎.