Recent technological and regulatory advances in unmanned aerial systems have given rise to the Low-Altitude Economy (LAE), an emerging arena of innovation and competition. Achieving sustainable and high-quality growth in this sector, however, hinges on the deep integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into its core operations. Based on provincial panel data from China spanning 2012-2023, this paper empirically examines the enabling effects of AI on LAE. The results show that AI development significantly promotes the growth of LAE, and this conclusion remains robust under multiple tests. Mechanism analysis reveals that AI drives the LAE primarily through two channels: improving digital infrastructure and enhancing technological innovation investment. Heterogeneity analysis further indicates that this positive effect is more pronounced in coastal regions and during the early stages of policy implementation. This study highlights the crucial role of AI in promoting the high-quality development of LAE and fostering new productive forces, offering empirical evidence and policy insights for building an intelligent low-altitude industrial system.
References
[1]
AINvest (2025). Joby Aviation: Scaling Manufacturing for Dominance in Urban Air Mobility. https://www.ainvest.com/news/joby-aviation-scaling-manufacturing-pathway-dominance-urban-air-mobility-2511/
[2]
David, P. A., & Wright, G. (1999). General Purpose Technologies and Productivity Surges: Historical Reflections on the Future of the ICT Revolution. Oxford University Economic & Social History Review.
[3]
Gan, J., Liu, L., Qiao, G., & Zhang, Q. (2023). The Role of Robot Adoption in Green Innovation: Evidence from China. Economic Modelling, 119, Article ID: 106128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econmod.2022.106128
[4]
Guo, K. (2019). Artificial Intelligence Development, Industrial Structural Transformation, and Changes in Labor Income Share. Management World, 35, 60-77, 202-203. https://doi.org/10.19744/j.cnki.11-1235/f.2019.0092
[5]
Lu, T., & Zhu, Z. (2021). Does Artificial Intelligence Reduce the Labor Income Share? Evidence from Fixed Effects and Panel Quantile Models. Journal of Shanxi University of Finance and Economics, 43, 29-41.
[6]
Shen, Y., & Zhang, H. (2024). The Impact of Digital Infrastructure Construction on the High-Quality Development of the Low-Altitude Economy. Journal of Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (Social Sciences Edition), 37, 96-108.
[7]
Yao, J., Zhang, K., Guo, L., Chen, S., Liu, X., Wang, Y., & Li, J. (2024). How Does Artificial Intelligence Improve Enterprise Productivity? Evidence from Labor Skill Structure Adjustment. Management World, 40, 101-116, 133, 117-122. https://doi.org/10.19744/j.cnki.11-1235/f.2024.0018
[8]
Zhang, X., & Huang, W. (2024). Global Trends, Current Situation, and Promotion Strategies for the Development of the Low-Altitude Economy in China. Economic Review, No. 8, 53-62.
[9]
Zheng, X. (2024). How Does a Firm’s Digital Business Strategy Affect Its Innovation Performance? An Investigation Based on Knowledge-Based Dynamic Capability. Journal of Knowledge Management, 28, 2324-2356. https://doi.org/10.1108/jkm-05-2023-0410
[10]
Zhuang, Z. (2024). Artificial Intelligence Empowering the Low-Altitude Economy: Application Scenarios and Future Directions. People’s Forum (Academic Frontier), No. 15, 38-44. https://doi.org/10.16619/j.cnki.rmltxsqy.2024.15.003
