Artificial intelligence has sophisticated social and economic effects that cannot be ignored. Based on a thorough review of the development of artificial intelligence, this paper systematically explores the mechanism of the impact of artificial intelligence on economic growth through technology, value and application three paths, which is starting from the perspective of the population external system. In order to verify the rationality of the paths, the effect of artificial intelligence on economic growth from the perspective of population external system is rigorously estimated using artificial intelligence and macroeconomic data for China from 2011 to 2019. The findings are as follows. Firstly, there is a significant positive effect of artificial intelligence on the economic growth from the perspective of the population external system. This positive effect is sufficiently robust over the sample-wide period. Secondly, there is significant regional heterogeneity in the effect of artificial intelligence on economic growth from the perspective of the population external system. The low levels of artificial intelligence development impeded the economic growth, the middle levels of artificial intelligence development contributed significantly to the economic growth, and the high levels of artificial intelligence development did not show a significant contribution to the economic growth. In view of this, future policies should be designed in terms of revitalizing the value of the artificial intelligence stock, exploring the value potential of artificial intelligence and regulating it in a hierarchical manner.

Purpose: This paper aims to explore the impact of digital inclusive finance (DIF) on regional economic growth and innovation-driven development.Design/methodology/approach: Based on the panel data of 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government) in China from 2011 to 2018, this paper explores the impact of DIF on economic growth and innovative development.Findings: (1) DIF has a direct positive effect on economic growth and innovative development; (2) there is significant regional heterogeneity in the impact of DIF on economic growth and innovative development. (3) DIF can indirectly affect economic growth and innovative development by increasing residents’ personal disposable income, increasing fiscal expenditure and improving educational level.Social implications: Exploring the relationship between them and digital inclusive financial development can provide a reference for national productivity construction and development.Originality/value: Economic growth and innovation-driven development have been one of the main concerns of China’s policymakers. Exploring the relationship between them, digital inclusive financial development can provide a reference for national productivity construction and development.