The rise of China's DeepSeek has thrust AI models into the public spotlight. By 2025, AI is expected to enter an era of mass adoption due to significantly reduced costs, making it accessible to all. For businesses, the priority now lies in "implementation engineering"—integrating AI to harness its potential. The liquor industry faces a pivotal reshuffle, where "emotional intelligence trumps IQ." High-EQ enterprises will thrive, mid-EQ ones risk fragmentation, and low-EQ players face obsolescence. The core conflict in China's liquor sector revolves around "old vs. new": traditional craftsmanship, outdated technologies, and legacy marketing clash with emerging consumer demands for novel experiences, cultural relevance, and cutting-edge innovation. 

Li Houqiang, a professor at Sichuan Academy of Social Sciences, predicts seven major trends for Chinese baijiu by 2030: (1) 60% of small distilleries will vanish due to mergers or closures; (2) premium brands will democratize, with prices dropping by 40% or more; (3) alcohol spending will decline to 40% of total dining expenses; (4) global expansion becomes imperative—"go global or perish"; (5) localized foreign spirits (e.g., Chinese whiskey) will gain traction; (6) AI-driven customization ("a unique liquor for each person") will redefine product offerings; and (7) AI-powered cultural innovation will evolve from material to spiritual dimensions. The industry must embrace "four orientations": future-readiness, globalization, modernization, and youth engagement, while advancing "seven transformations"—regional specialization, intelligence, lower alcohol content, affordability, health focus, youth appeal, and human-centric design. 

China's 14th Five-Year Plan for the liquor industry emphasizes intelligent brewing to drive innovation, focusing on smart production, automation, and optimized supply chains. While global players leverage AI for flavor analysis and R&D, Chinese firms prioritize smart manufacturing. For instance, Yanghe launched a smart factory in 2018, integrating AI across brewing, packaging, and supply chains. Luzhou Laojiao (2019) and Gujing Gongjiu (2020) followed suit, deploying AI, IoT, and cloud computing to enhance efficiency and quality control. Moutai employs AI for microbial research and precision fermentation, while Xifeng and KouziJiao utilize intelligent sensors and robotics to streamline production. Notably, Luzhou Laojiao’s AI-powered packaging line achieves 15,000 bottles per hour, and Gujing’s digital upgrades boosted per-worker productivity tenfold. 

In marketing, brands like Moutai and Snow Beer deploy virtual AI ambassadors to engage younger audiences, while China Telecom’s "YiJiuBao" ensures contactless liquor measurement via AI. AI’s role extends beyond tools—it bridges tradition and modernity, enhancing craftsmanship with data-driven precision. Future trends include blockchain-enabled supply chains, human-machine collaboration, and immersive consumer experiences via metaverse integration. While simpler brewing styles (e.g., light-aroma baijiu) adapt easily to automation, complex techniques (e.g., sauce- and strong-aroma) remain reliant on master-apprentice traditions. Nevertheless, as technology evolves, AI promises to rejuvenate China’s liquor industry, fostering sustainable growth in the digital age.