In a move to standardize the booming artificial intelligence hardware market, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, along with the State Administration for Market Regulation and the Ministry of Commerce, jointly released a new national standard for grading the intelligence of AI terminals on Friday.

The standard, designated GB/Z 177-2026, Grading the Intelligence of AI Terminals, establishes a unified benchmarking system for products ranging from smart glasses and televisions to wireless earbuds and automotive cockpits. Aims to standardize the evaluation of terminal intelligence, drive product iteration and upgrades, and safeguard user consumption experiences across a rapidly evolving tech landscape.

The standard utilizes a "2+N" framework​ to ensure consistency across the industry.

The "2" means use of two cornerstone standards to define the concept of intelligence, establish the grading criteria and outline the testing methodologies. They serve as the essential baseline for all subsequent category-specific standards, clarifying "what defines an AI terminal, how to grade it and how to verify it."

The "N" represents specific standards tailored for different product lines. The inaugural batch covers seven major terminal categories: mobile phones, computers, televisions, smart glasses, vehicle cockpits, smart speakers and earphones.