Abstract: Grasping the developmental patterns of productivity under the perspective of artificial intelligence holds significant value for propelling the qualitative transformation of productivity. This paper incorporates the transformative characteristics of AI into the theoretical analytical framework and systematically elucidates the conceptual connotations of the new type of productivity. Based on the three-factor theory of productivity, it reveals the theoretical logic through which the productivity system achieves qualitative leaps by renewing the connotations of its elements and optimizing their combinations, under the context of AI altering the modes of social production. On this basis, the paper further summarizes the measurement indicators of the three elements of productive forces from the perspective of AI and proposes a framework for measuring new-quality productive forces. It then uses this framework to assess the current state of new-quality productive forces at the provincial level. From a spatial dimension, the visualization of the characteristics of new-quality productive forces development reveals a polarization phenomenon among provinces and a stepwise development pattern of “coastal—riverine—inland” regions. Meanwhile, the regional imbalanced development of new-quality productive forces overlaps to some extent with that of economic levels, although some provinces at relatively lower economic levels have already shown a trend of using new-quality productive forces to achieve economic catch-up. This paper aims to enrich the theoretical system of new-quality productive forces and provide decision-making support for the practical application of AI in driving qualitative changes in productive forces by measuring the level of new-quality productive forces development.

Key words: new quality productivity, artificial intelligence, three elements of productivity, productivity theory