In late 2022, ChatGPT marked the beginning of rapid global AI development. By the end of 2024, over 1,300 large-scale AI models existed worldwide, with China and the U.S. holding 80% of the total. The U.S. leads in AI model development, while China has emerged as a strong competitor, driven by its market size and government support, with over 300 AI models.
As things stand, China faces significant challenges in developing large AI models, including high costs and security concerns. However, the country has strengths in “small AI” models tailored to specific industries. These models are supported by a strong local market, engineering expertise, and favorable policies. As a result, “small AI” models will continue to emerge as new competitors in various sectors.
China has yet to achieve a breakthrough in truly original large AI models. It lags behind others in terms of model development, particularly due to foreign technological monopolies and limited access to global data. Adding to this, the Chinese firewall further restricts training data, limiting its ability to make significant advancements in large AI models in the near future.
AI is becoming more integrated into low-risk industries, especially in sectors like education, finance, and employment. In the education sector, AI excels in personalized learning and creating realistic simulations, but limitations in complex reasoning and data quality restrict its application. Despite these challenges, AI will continue to expand in these industries, offering efficiency and innovation.
Healthcare is a high-risk sector for AI due to the complexity of medical diagnoses and the potential for errors. While China’s healthcare industry is embracing AI, challenges such as limited medical data and privacy concerns make it difficult for AI to be fully trusted in this field. Misdiagnoses and the inability of patients to provide accurate symptom descriptions could lead to significant health risks.
At the same time, established Chinese search engines like Baidu face a crisis as AI-powered search becomes more common. Users are increasingly opting for AI-driven, natural language search experiences rather than keyword-based queries. This shift in user behavior weakens the competitive advantage of traditional search engines, suggesting that they may eventually depend more heavily on AI to stay relevant.
AI computers, which replace traditional input devices with natural language interfaces, are expected to challenge conventional PCs. This shift, projected to occur between 2026 and 2028, will transform the computing landscape. However, progress in China’s AI computer development has been slow, with current efforts focusing more on imitation and cost competition rather than innovation.
As AI technology continues to evolve, information analysis will become increasingly influential. While AI can efficiently gather and process data, the human ability to analyze and ask meaningful questions remains crucial. Combining AI with information analysis will allow businesses and individuals to solve problems and predict trends, making it an essential skill in the future.
China’s AI sector may experience a growth surge due to supportive government policies like the “AI+” initiative. However, challenges such as high operating costs, intense competition, and limited resources could lead to a stagnation phase after the initial growth period. As the market matures, competition will likely focus on price, and new entrants will face significant barriers to success.
AI is also transforming e-commerce by improving the shopping experience. AI recommendation systems, which suggest products based on user behavior and preferences, are enhancing efficiency and customer satisfaction. Chinese e-commerce platforms like JD.com and Pinduoduo are incorporating AI to stay competitive, while AI automation in areas like customer service and product listing further improves operational efficiency.
As AI continues to develop, it will gradually reshape society. Many repetitive, routine tasks will be automated, and industries will evolve to accommodate AI as a core infrastructure. This shift will influence how people work, live, and make decisions, ultimately transforming societal structures and driving the evolution of human civilization.
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