How does industrial intelligence affect carbon intensity in China? Empirical analysis based on Chinese provincial panel data

Abstract

With the deep integration of artificial intelligence and the real economy, the development of industrial intelligence brings important opportunities for green economic growth. However, few studies have provided insight into whether and how industrial intelligence affects carbon intensity. To bridge this gap, this study explores the impact of industrial intelligence on carbon intensity and how this impact fluctuates when industrial structure upgrading is included as a mediator, based on the spatial Durbin model (SDM) and the mediating effect model. The empirical results show that both industrial intelligence and carbon intensity have a significant spatial correlation. The development of industrial intelligence effectively reduces the carbon intensity of the local and neighboring regions with influence coefficients of −0.1031 and −0.1720, respectively. Considering the regional heterogeneity, the inhibitory effect of industrial intelligence on carbon intensity in the eastern region is strongest, followed by the central region, and negligible in western China. Industrial structure upgrading is an important mediating channel for industrial intelligence to function. Specifically, industrial intelligence can indirectly curb carbon intensity through promoting industrial structure supererogation and industrial structure rationalization, and the indirect effects account for 69.08% and 17.58% of the total effects, respectively. This study provides insights for policymakers to promote industrial intelligence in an effort to meet carbon reduction targets during economic transformation.