Introduction

“Artificial intelligence is a young career, and it is also a career for young people.” In April 2025, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out during his inspection in Shanghai that AI technology is accelerating its iteration and is ushering in explosive development. Shanghai aims to summarize successful experiences in incubating the AI industry through a large model industrial ecosystem and increase exploration efforts to strive to lead in AI development and governance, creating a demonstration effect.

Shanghai focuses on nurturing a rainforest-like industrial ecosystem to help innovative entities thrive; it cultivates a fertile ground for the development of this “young career,” allowing the younger generation to showcase their talents. The city is deepening and expanding the “AI +” initiative to empower the enhancement of economic and social governance capabilities while promoting the coordinated advancement of development and security, contributing the “Shanghai solution” to global AI governance.

Growth of AI Enterprises

The number of companies in the “Model Speed Space” increased from over 100 in 2024 to over 200 in 2025, with more than 20 potential unicorns valued at over 1 billion yuan. Over 60% of the city’s large model registered enterprises are concentrated here.

To ensure that “good models are not lacking in computing power, good applications are not lacking in data, and good products are not lacking in chips,” Shanghai systematically strengthens support for elements, enhancing the collaborative development of high-performance intelligent computing chips, high-quality data, and efficient intelligent computing clusters, laying a solid foundation for the iteration and upgrade of large models and the maturation of embodied intelligent technologies.

This year, relying on the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory’s “AGI4S Mount Everest Plan,” Shanghai has fully opened channels for computing power, data, models, platforms, scenarios, projects, and talent cooperation, establishing the AI4S “national hub.”

Policy and Investment Initiatives

In 2025, Shanghai will further expand AI applications based on previous initiatives, including setting up an AI industry investment fund and issuing the first provincial-level local regulation on promoting AI industry development. The city aims to deepen the “AI +” initiative, empowering economic and social governance capabilities and contributing to global AI governance.

The Shanghai Municipal Committee’s main responsible person stated, “Technology is one of the foundational and strategic supports for Chinese-style modernization, and artificial intelligence is a leading industry that Shanghai focuses on developing. We coordinate development and security, promoting technological innovation and safety governance to advance simultaneously and strive to lead in all aspects of AI development and governance, setting an example.”

Advancements in AI Applications

In July 2025, the eighth World Artificial Intelligence Conference will be held in Shanghai, showcasing the vibrant vitality of the AI industry along the Huangpu River. The Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Research Institute’s director, Song Haitao, believes that the youthfulness of the AI career is partly due to its transition from the laboratory to production and life, marking a critical point for technology iteration and application adaptation.

China has established a massive industrial system covering all 41 industrial categories, with the overall scale of manufacturing ranking first in the world for 16 consecutive years. By 2024, China’s data production will reach 41.06 zettabytes, accounting for 26.67% of the global total. “China has a complete industrial system, vast data resources, and a broad application market, providing a solid foundation for deep AI empowerment,” said Wu Tongning, deputy director of the AI Research Institute of the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology.

Building a Strong AI Ecosystem

Shanghai’s GDP is expected to grow by an average of 4.9% during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, reaching 5.67 trillion yuan, ranking among the top five global cities. As a front-line of China’s reform and opening up and an international metropolis deeply linked to the world, Shanghai has a solid industrial foundation, diverse consumption scenarios, rich talent resources, pioneering institutional innovation, and efficient urban governance.

With comprehensive and powerful policy support, precise and efficient element allocation, and complementary spatial layout advantages, Shanghai is strategically building a complete ecological closed loop covering policies, funds, computing power, data, and space, laying a solid foundation for the “young career” of artificial intelligence.

Talent Development and Innovation

Shanghai is optimizing talent cultivation and technological innovation paradigms, allowing young people to explore and showcase their talents in a supportive environment. The Shanghai Chuangzhi Academy aims to cultivate top AI talents and supports the development of disruptive innovations through substantial funding and infrastructure.

The academy has already incubated 24 high-valuation enterprises, with an overall valuation exceeding 3 billion yuan. AI is also optimizing research paradigms, facilitating breakthroughs in various fields, including energy storage materials and drug discovery.

AI in Governance and Public Services

Shanghai is also focusing on enhancing AI applications in governance and public services. The city has implemented measures to increase the “AI content” in elderly care services, establishing the first “AI + Elderly Care Experience Center” to showcase innovative products and services.

Conclusion

Shanghai is committed to leading the global AI governance dialogue and practice, contributing the “Shanghai solution” to international cooperation in AI governance. The city has established cooperation mechanisms with 38 countries, promoting international AI industry connections and technological exchanges. From the Huangpu River to the world stage, Shanghai is building bridges for global AI governance and becoming a bright window for Chinese wisdom to reach the world.