China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has officially rolled out its much-anticipated action plan focused on the deep integration of artificial intelligence with the software sector, signaling a significant policy push that could reshape the industry's landscape. The initiative lays out a bold vision aimed at achieving a major leap in the fusion of AI with software and IT services by the year 2030. This strategic roadmap targets a comprehensive intelligent upgrade of critical software infrastructure, positioning emerging sectors like intelligent programming, agent-based software, and AI-driven services as the new engines of industrial growth. The ultimate goal is to establish globally influential open-source communities and industry clusters, empowering the nation's software and IT services to secure a dominant spot in the global value chain.

Since the beginning of the year, artificial intelligence has been deeply permeating the entire software development lifecycle, fundamentally reconstructing production processes and competitive dynamics within the sector. In this new era, analysts at Soochow Securities (601555.SH) argue that the core value proposition for software companies is shifting from a consumer-centric focus on "how frequently users open an application" to a more enterprise-centric question of "whether the system occupies a critical position in the enterprise's task execution chain." This perspective suggests that platform-based software companies, which hold essential data, process control rights, governance and audit capabilities, and system integration potential, are poised for a significant revaluation. These firms are no longer seen merely as traditional application providers but are being elevated to the status of enterprise AI infrastructure, unlocking new avenues for growth and profitability.

According to data compiled up to September 11, a total of 32 software stocks have garnered attention from institutional investors, each having received five or more institutional research visits this year. Among this cohort, several companies have distinguished themselves, including Nan Wang Digital (301638.SZ), Haitian Ruisheng (688787.SH), Zhongke Information (300678.SZ), Dameng Data (688692.SH), and Guoneng Rixin (301162.SZ), all of which have enjoyed more than ten research visits from institutions, highlighting their elevated interest in the current market environment.

Looking ahead to future growth potential, statistics reveal that out of these 32 software stocks, nine are projected to achieve net profit growth exceeding 20% in both this year and the next, based on the consensus forecasts of more than five institutions. However, despite their strong fundamentals, some of these names have faced significant market pullbacks. Comparing their September 11 closing prices with their intraday highs for the year, Hehe Information (688615.SH), Foxit Software (688095.SH), and Shiji Information (002153.SZ) have all seen their valuations retrace by more than 50%, presenting a potential opportunity for investors looking to capitalize on long-term growth potential amidst short-term market volatility.