China has solidified its position as a global leader in artificial intelligence development, having released an astounding 1,509 large AI models to date. This figure represents a significant portion of the 3,755 large models launched worldwide, underscoring China’s rapid acceleration in the AI race, as revealed at the recent 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai.
The sheer volume of models highlights China’s comprehensive AI industrial system, spanning foundational infrastructure to sector-specific applications. According to data from the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), China is home to over 5,100 AI companies, accounting for approximately 15% of the global total, and boasts 71 AI unicorns, making up about 26% of the world’s 271.
Yu Xiaohui, president of CAICT, emphasized that the rapid iteration of foundational large models and the emergence of new technological approaches demonstrate significant potential for advancing towards Artificial General Intelligence. China’s AI ecosystem is characterized by a vibrant mix of leading companies, rising unicorns, specialized firms, and burgeoning startups, with over 300 listed AI-related companies contributing approximately 70% of the country’s total AI industry revenue.
The innovation across these models is broad, with Chinese AI unicorns focusing on key areas such as large models themselves, autonomous driving, intelligent robots, business intelligence applications, and AI computing chips. This aggressive development strategy positions AI as a critical growth driver for China’s high-quality economic and social development.
While the quantity of models is impressive, discussions at WAIC also highlighted technological breakthroughs, including the world’s first large model with “native memory” capabilities, enabling continuous personalization. This rapid progress, fueled by continuous innovation in technologies, applications, and business models, marks China’s significant stride towards AI self-sufficiency and global leadership.
