Digital News

　　Recently, the National Data Resource Survey Report (2024) (hereinafter referred to as the Report) was officially released. Based on indicators such as data volume, development, utilization, and application status for the year 2023, the Report adds new survey metrics focusing on emerging areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) and large models. It also analyzes and evaluates the regional and industrial distribution of data resources. According to the Report, in 2024, China’s data resource scale advantage has continued to expand, the active level of data development and utilization has steadily increased, various entities have accelerated AI-related investment and deployment, and the processes of data factor marketization and value realization have gained momentum.

　　In March 2024, the Report on the Work of the Government for the first time proposed the launch of the “Artificial Intelligence +” (AI+) initiative. A series of policies covering scenario application and industry development have since been issued, including the Three-Year Action Plan for “Data Elements ×” (2024-2026), the Action Plan for the Development of Trusted Data Spaces (2024-2028), and the Guiding Opinions on Promoting the High-quality Development of the Data Industry. These policies have accelerated the development and utilization of public data resources, leading to the preliminary formation of a “1+3” policy system. Under the guidance of this comprehensive policy framework aimed at promoting the development and high-quality advancement of the data factor market, the Report features several key highlights:

　　First, the level of data resource development and utilization has improved effectively, and the increase in structured data has become a highlight. According to the Report, approximately 66% of leading enterprises in various industries and 30% of data technology companies have purchased data; the number of high-quality datasets increased by 27.4% year on year; and structured data rose by 36% year on year, accounting for 18.70% of the total storage volume, far exceeding the growth rate of unstructured data storage. Collectively, these three sets of data demonstrate a significant increase in the extent of data development and utilization in 2024, with substantial progress in data development, utilization, and high-quality dataset establishment.

　　Second, the “AI+” initiative is being orderly advanced, with notable integration of data and computing. AI and data resource development and utilization are mutually reinforcing, and the “AI+” initiative has effectively fostered two-way interaction between AI and data resource development and utilization, gradually forming a coordinated pattern of integration between data and computing. The Report indicates that smart device data in key “AI+” sectors such as smart homes, intelligent connected vehicles, and drones has experienced rapid growth; China’s national intelligent computing power scale has reached 90 EFLOPS, accounting for 32% of total computing power, thereby providing a strong intelligent foundation for massive data computing; the number of enterprises developing or applying AI has increased by 36% year on year, offering strong support for AI training and applications; and the number of data technology enterprises utilizing large models has grown by 57.21% year on year, while data application enterprises increased by 37.14% year on year.

　　Third, the authorized operation of public data has achieved notable results, and the application of data in areas related to people’s livelihood has accelerated. On one hand, the exploration of public data authorized operation is advancing at a quicker pace. Following the release of the “1+3” policy documents for national public data resource development and utilization, over 60% of provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government) and cities specifically designated in the national plan have launched authorized operation initiatives, which are becoming increasingly standardized and orderly. Notably, the volume of data in public data authorized operation by municipal-level people’s government departments is 2.53 times that of provincial-level people’s government departments, indicating an expanding supply of public data resources. On the other hand, public data service scenarios are becoming increasingly diverse. The number of public data service products has increased by over 40% year on year, with rapid development in application areas related to public services and people’s livelihoods, such as transportation and healthcare.

　　Fourth, the pace of integration between real and digital economies is accelerating, with manufacturing leading in data production volume. The Report shows that, as China’s digitalization, networking, and intelligent transformation accelerate, industries such as manufacturing, finance, and transportation and logistics have produced the highest total volumes of data, while enterprises in finance, mining, and transportation and logistics rank top three in terms of average data production volume. The level of data development and utilization in transportation and logistics and power sectors significantly exceeds the national average, reaching 78.24% and 75.83%, respectively. Among these sectors, apart from finance, where the high level of digital investment and prior data development justifies its top ranking, manufacturing, transportation and logistics, mining, and power all belong to the real economy. Through the coordination between the real and digital economies, these industries are driving high-end, intelligent, and green development trends.

　　Overall, the Report fully reflects the progress and achievements of China’s digital economy development and the marketization and value realization of data factors in 2024. It effectively takes stock of data resources, clarifies the current state, challenges, and trends of data industry development, accelerates the development and utilization of data resources, and unlocks the value of data factors, laying a solid foundation for enabling a larger and stronger digital economy and building a Digital China.