Digital News

　　In the peak of summer, Beijing is lush with greenery, and innovation is thriving across the city. As part of the “Vibrant China Research Tour” team, the reporter visited several cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) hubs, gaining an up-close view of the city’s powerful technological momentum and its ever-growing innovation capabilities. With its strong innovation resources and robust policy support, Beijing is leading the charge in China’s AI development, truly earning its title as the “AI Capital of China.”

　　“Beijing is home to over 40% of the nation’s top AI talent, with more than 2,400 AI companies and a core industry worth nearly 350 billion yuan. Both the number of companies and the size of the core industry make up half of the country’s total,” said Han Jian, Director of the Information Department at the Beijing Municipal Science & Technology Commission, Administrative Commission of Zhongguancun Science Park. These advantages have firmly established Beijing as a dominant force in China’s AI sector.

　　The innovative vitality of Beijing’s AI sector is largely fueled by the active participation of new research and development institutions. A typical example is the Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence (BAAI), based in the Haidian District. In June this year, following the launch of the “Wudao” series, BAAI unveiled its latest advancements in large models with the “Wujie” series. This includes cutting-edge innovations such as the native multimodal world model Emu3 and the brain-science multimodal foundation model Brainμ, among other breakthroughs. These developments are significantly enhancing AI’s abilities in understanding, reasoning, and collaboration while accelerating the integration of the digital and physical worlds.

　　“BAAI offers a platform for open exploration and practical testing of frontier issues that are challenging for universities to address and haven't yet been explored by businesses. It provides an innovative environment for AI talent to exchange ideas, collaborate, and take swift action,” said Wang Zhongyuan, President of BAAI. The institute has gradually created an “insider ecosystem” that connects industry, academia, research, and application by holding BAAI Conference, building BAAI Community and other efforts. So far, it has successfully incubated nearly 20 startups.

　　“We are committed to driving breakthroughs in original and pioneering research and creating a foundation for the development of new quality productive forces,” said Dong Qichao, Deputy Director of the Beijing Municipal Science & Technology Commission, Administrative Commission of Zhongguancun Science Park. In the realm of fundamental research, Beijing is advancing innovation in key technologies across cutting-edge fields such as AI, quantum computing, and synthetic biology manufacturing, leading to a number of original breakthroughs and landmark technological products.

　　The involvement and transformation of the business sector is another driving force in making AI more practical. As a key player in Beijing’s AI industry, Zhipu Huazhang Technology Co., Ltd. has made a significant leap from research to product development in the field of large-scale models. “We aim to make machines think like humans,” said Liu Debing, the company’s Chairman. With the help of technology transfer from Tsinghua University, the company has developed 100-billion-parameter foundation models, code models, and dialogue models, further strengthening China’s ability to innovate independently in the large-model space.

　　Beyond scientific innovation and business involvement, Beijing’s policy support acts as the third key pillar driving AI development. Beijing has made AI industry growth a top priority, setting up the first batch of 23 key AI laboratories. These labs span a range of fields, including large models, embodied intelligence, and AI security, helping to build a more comprehensive R&D framework and a robust industrial ecosystem.

　　Beijing is not only strengthening its technological innovation but also expanding the scope of application scenarios. In recent years, the city has introduced several industrial policies, such as the Three-Year Action Plan for Embodied Intelligence and the Technology Empowering Culture Initiative, to drive AI integration into traditional sectors like culture, transportation, and manufacturing. These initiatives are accelerating the creation of new growth opportunities for AI.

　　In the southwestern suburbs of Beijing, an autonomous bus carrying 19 passengers moves steadily along Fangyao Road in Fangshan District. Although it looks like any other regular bus, the safety officer in the driver’s seat never touches the steering wheel. Even in complex traffic conditions, the “AI driver” handles everything with ease. This self-driving bus is an L4-level autonomous vehicle developed by UISEE, a leading autonomous driving “unicorn” based in Beijing.

　　“We strive to be not only China’s ‘AI driver’ but also the world’s ‘AI driver,’” said Wu Gansha, Chairman and CEO of UISEE. The company has expanded its reach to six countries and regions. With 5.8 million kilometers driven autonomously and over 1,000 self-driving vehicles in operation, UISEE is turning autonomous driving from a frontier technology into a practical industry solution.

　　Companies validate their technologies through practice, while cities provide the fertile ground for testing and growth. “Beijing is positioning itself at the cutting edge of Intelligent Connected Vehicles (ICVs) and advanced autonomous driving technologies,” said Li Jiao, Director of the Automotive and Transportation Industry Division at the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology. Thanks to strong policy support, Beijing’s advanced autonomous driving demonstration zone has deployed intelligent infrastructure across 600 square kilometers, propelling the automotive industry towards electrification, intelligence, sustainability, and high-end development.

　　“By focusing on AI as a key driver, Beijing is actively advancing digital transformation and promoting the growth of its digital economy, with impressive progress in becoming a global leader in the digital economy,” said Liu Weiliang, a member of the Party Leadership Group and Deputy Director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology. The added value of Beijing’s digital economy has increased from over 1.76 trillion yuan in 2021 to over 2.2 trillion yuan in 2024, and the digital economy has become the main economic form of the city.

　　The depth of history converges with the brilliance of science and technology here. Beijing, an ancient city with a thousand-year history, stands at the forefront of AI, collaborating with global leaders to drive a new round of technological revolution. Looking ahead, Beijing is poised to accelerate its growth as a globally influential hub for AI innovation and industry, contributing more “Chinese solutions” to the world’s AI landscape.