At the 2025 World AI Conference in Shanghai, it was revealed that China has launched 1,509 large artificial intelligence models, the highest number worldwide. This accounts for a significant portion of the 3,755 models released globally. The country has developed a robust AI industry, with over 5,100 companies, making up about 15 percent of the global total, and 71 unicorns, which represent approximately 26 percent of the world’s AI unicorns. Yu Xiaohui, president of the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, highlighted the rapid advancement of foundational AI models and new technologies, suggesting a promising path towards Artificial General Intelligence. In China, listed companies and unicorns drive the AI industry, with over 300 AI-related listed companies contributing around 70 percent of the industry’s total revenue. The main areas of innovation for Chinese AI unicorns include large models, autonomous driving, intelligent robots, business intelligence applications, and AI computing chips. The AI sector is expanding swiftly, playing a crucial role in the country’s economic and social development. The World AI Conference, themed “Global Solidarity in the AI Era,” concluded with participation from high-level representatives from over 40 countries and international organizations.
Has China become the leader in global AI model development?
