Under the dual impetus of the "Healthy China" strategy and the development of artificial intelligence (AI), general practitioners are undergoing a profound role transformation. Their functions are no longer confined to traditional basic diagnosis and chronic disease management but are evolving into a composite role that integrates digital-intelligent health management, information synthesis, and multidisciplinary collaboration. This transformation permeates the four primary aspects of the general practitioner profession—clinical practice, education, research, and administration—and is significantly enhancing the efficiency and accessibility of chronic disease management, early screening, and telemedicine services through AI empowerment. However, the transition is also accompanied by multiple practical challenges, including the potential weakening of individual clinical competencies, ambiguities in data security and accountability, the digital divide at the grassroots level, and issues of technological adaptability. Looking ahead, building a sustainable smart primary care ecosystem is essential. This requires adhering to a people-centered approach, strengthening policy support, and promoting multi-stakeholder collaboration to support general practitioners in successfully advancing toward a digital-intelligent future, ultimately achieving high-quality and equitable universal health coverage.