As China enters the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) period, attention is turning to how top-level policy design can better align with public opinion to strengthen decision-making. At the same time, the rapid development of artificial intelligence is reshaping the mechanics of governance. Its growing role raises questions about how data-driven tools could transform policymaking, as well as the risks they may introduce. In this episode of PD Talk, Zhang Kaiping, tenured associate professor of political science at Tsinghua University in Beijing and director of its Center for Data Governance, discusses the opportunities and challenges facing governments in the digital age. (Produced by Han Xiaomeng, Ni Tao, Shan Xin and Intern Ye Qianyu; Cover image by Li Mingzhi)