AI-Driven Technological Innovation Empowers Manufacturing Upgrading

Based on data from manufacturing companies of listed companies in China from 2011 to 2024, examine the impact of AI-driven technological innovation in manufacturing. Research has found that AI-driven technological innovation significantly improves the transformation and upgrading of manufacturing companies, and that corporate innovation inputs and innovation outputs play a mediating effect in this process. Further heterogeneity analysis found that AI-driven technological innovation has a more significant effect on improving companies and state-owned enterprises with higher levels of employee education. AI-driven technological innovation has a threshold effect on the transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry, which is manifested as a “inverted U-shaped” nonlinear relationship.