The predictive PI control algorithm can handle time delay systems well, but still suffers from poor control and weak anti‐interference ability when facing large inertia and large lag links. This paper starts from the principle of predictive PI controller, equates it to Smith predictive controller, then combines Smith anti‐disturbance structure and proposes an improved predictive PI (IPPI). For the first‐order plus dead time (FOPDT) system simulation experiment, the experimental results show that the proposed controller has significantly improved the response speed and anti‐interference ability.