Zhejiang Emerges as a Leading Hub for Artificial Intelligence Innovation

The 2026 World Internet Conference held in Wuzhen highlighted Zhejiang's ambition to transform into a leading center for AI innovation. Over the past few years, Zhejiang has worked diligently on its Digital Zhejiang initiative, implementing cutting-edge technology across workshops and laboratories.

In the first eight months of the year alone, the revenue from large AI enterprises in the province skyrocketed to approximately 582.87 billion yuan ($87.2 billion), showcasing a remarkable year-on-year growth of 26.9%. The sector has also witnessed a substantial rise in the number of core AI enterprises, reaching 2,112, effectively establishing a comprehensive industry chain that encompasses everything from chip manufacturing to intelligent agents and application services.

Central to Zhejiang’s rapid AI development is its robust computing power infrastructure. For example, in a Zhuji sock factory, designers can generate an astounding 20 original patterns in just three minutes, dramatically accelerating design processes. In Yiwu, traders utilize an AI-driven platform that allows them to create high-definition product images and marketing videos at the click of a button.

This integration of AI into business practices is supported by a province-wide computing network, courtesy of China Mobile's Zhejiang branch. As of the end of September, Zhejiang achieved a computing power capability of 197 ExaFLOPS, positioning it among the highest in the nation. Notably, 54 firms benefited from national computing-power vouchers amounting to 408 million yuan, illustrating the commitment to optimizing infrastructure for innovation.

With the introduction of intelligent computing centers in Hangzhou and Jiashan, the province aims to facilitate millisecond-level access to computing resources, integrated network scheduling, and streamlined security assurances. This advancement is crucial to bolstering the AI ecosystem within the province, particularly concerning large model applications.

The Qwen and DeepSeek large models have shown vast potential, leading the way in Zhejiang’s AI model ecosystem. In this line, the most recent government work report emphasized a commitment to positioning the province as a frontrunner in AI and fostering a high-quality open-source ecosystem, underscoring the significance of open source in the regional AI strategy.

At the heart of Zhejiang’s innovation initiatives is the ModelScope community, situated in Hangzhou's Xihu district, which ranks among the largest AI open-source communities in China. This platform connects over 29 million AI developers and more than 200,000 models globally, making AI-related innovations more accessible to a wider audience.

One notable example of this innovation is Chen Tianrun, a doctoral student at Zhejiang University. He is the founder of Moxin Technology, which developed MoWorld—a real-time interactive world model relying solely on domestic neural processing units (NPUs). This technology emulates human brain functions and has significant implications for the future of interactive models.

Chen emphasizes that the relationship between AI and humans is collaborative, rather than competitive. His perspective reflects a broader vision supported by the Zhejiang government, which aims to leverage new production factors like computing power, large models, and extensive datasets to transcend the province's natural resource limitations.

During the recent WIC Wuzhen Summit, numerous valuable networking events took place, showcasing Zhejiang's investments in AI technology, including the Light of Internet Expo. Here, over 30 intelligent robots from leading companies like AgiBot and UBTech offered visitors a glimpse into the evolving landscape of perceptual intelligence. Among the highlights was a groundbreaking humanoid robot capable of autonomously playing badminton—a testament to the province's forward-thinking approach.

Additionally, the Global Internet Competition drew interest from 1,347 projects across 31 countries, further solidifying Zhejiang's place on the global tech map. The Digital Economy Industrial Cooperation Conference, a permanent fixture of the Wuzhen Summit, has consistently signed digital economy projects exceeding 100 billion yuan annually for the last three years.

With its impressive strides in AI technology and development, Zhejiang is poised to establish itself as a global leader in artificial intelligence, setting the stage for innovative collaboration and showcasing the province's commitment to a digital future.