Digital News

　　With rapid sci-tech breakthroughs in large models, humanoid robots, and intelligent computing, a new wave of AI startups, represented by Hangzhou’s “Six Tigers,” is on the rise… Since the beginning of this year, Zhejiang’s core AI industry has generated over 300 billion yuan in revenue, achieving double-digit year-on-year growth. The province’s proactive embrace of AI has yielded solid results, becoming a highlight of its efforts to lead as a major economic powerhouse.

　　AI and Humanoid Robots Taking the Spotlight

　　Earlier this year, Unitree Robotics’ humanoid robot, the Unitree H1, made headlines with its Yangko dance performance on the Spring Festival Gala stage. Just six months later, the company introduced its latest model, the Unitree R1. Weighing just 25 kilograms, this bipedal humanoid robot is designed to support secondary development and personalized customization.

　　As one of Hangzhou’s “Six Tigers” of sci-tech innovation, Unitree Robotics has been steadily advancing its humanoid robot lineup, building strong momentum for future growth. “An excellent innovation environment gives companies more confidence to invest in R&D and production, and to develop new products and technologies,” said founder Wang Xingxing.

　　Zhejiang is experiencing a steady stream of innovations, with diverse breakthroughs flourishing across industries. A new development blueprint—rooted in digital and intelligent technologies—is gradually taking shape. According to an official from the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Science and Technology, Zhejiang achieved 17 major sci-tech breakthroughs in AI during the first half of this year and has systematically launched key initiatives in AI data and applications, brain-computer interfaces, humanoid robotics, and other critical areas.

　　AI not only opens new avenues for strategic emerging and future industries but also plays an increasingly vital role in transforming and upgrading traditional industries.

　　Wensli Group has taken the lead in the industry by developing a large AI model for pattern design, enabling personalized silk scarf customization with instant, on-the-spot pickup. Meanwhile, Tongkun Group has implemented a production process simulation model that reduces the new product development cycle by 53%...

　　“The synergy between Zhejiang’s solid manufacturing foundation and new AI technologies fosters a variety of application scenarios that enable innovative uses of AI. Also, the AI industry chain demonstrates a strong collaborative synergy,” said a related official from the Digital Economy Division (AI Office) of the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Economy and Information Technology.

　　The rise of AI-driven digital and intelligent technologies is emerging as a key driver of economic growth in Zhejiang. According to Chu Yingguo, Chief Statistician at the Zhejiang Provincial Bureau of Statistics, in the first half of the year, core AI enterprises recorded significantly faster revenue growth than enterprises above the designated size. Notably, revenue from computing power services, data services, algorithm models, and intelligent terminals all maintained double-digit growth.

　　AI Innovation Players Powering Development

　　When Manycore Tech Inc., a spatial intelligence company, seeks to validate its latest technologies, it can quickly partner with the CAD Lab at Zhejiang University to advance joint experimental projects.

　　With deep collaboration among key innovation players, Zhejiang is forging a strong foundation for advancing AI development. From January to June this year, the province facilitated the establishment of 119 joint laboratories through partnerships among platforms, universities, and enterprises. A total of 633 researchers were cross-appointed, while 15 investment institutions provided on-site services to provincial laboratories and technology innovation centers, fostering a more dynamic innovation ecosystem.

　　Zhejiang has strategically expanded its core AI technology innovation teams with a well-organized and highly coordinated approach closely aligned with industry needs, effectively establishing a strong “framework” to support development.

　　— Private enterprises serve as the main force driving innovation and development. Zhejiang boasts dynamic innovation and entrepreneurial groups, represented by Hangzhou’s “Six Tigers,” alongside large private enterprises including Alibaba and Chint Group, together forming an innovation landscape characterized by a solid base of large corporations and widespread presence of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

　　Zhejiang has nurtured a total of 1,801 specialized and innovative “Little Giant” firms, 14,400 specialized and sophisticated SMEs that produce novel and unique products, and 36,300 innovative SMEs... Many more promising tech innovators are emerging across the province.

　　— Research institutes are the birthplace of cutting-edge innovation. Zhejiang University is fully advancing AI for Education reforms while expanding enrollment in AI programs. Meanwhile, Westlake University continues to strengthen industry-university-research collaboration. It has incubated 46 high-tech companies in the Chengxi Sci-Tech Innovation Corridor, nearly 20 of which specialize in AI and related fields.

　　Zhejiang Province has established 2,616 doctoral innovation stations, with over 200 closely related to the AI industry. The province now hosts 38 national key laboratories.

　　— New types of research institutions are emerging as connectors for industrial innovation. To keep pace with the increasingly concentrated, integrated, and collaborative development trend of technological innovation, Zhejiang has set up a number of innovation hubs in recent years, such as the Zhejiang Intelligent Sensing Technology Innovation Center and the Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center.

　　According to a staff member at the Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, the center’s humanoid robot “NAVIAI 2” has transitioned from the lab to real-world factory applications. The center is also collaborating with a number of upstream and downstream component suppliers across Zhejiang, fostering coordinated growth throughout the entire industry chain.

　　Building AI Innovation Hubs Based on Local Strengths

　　Strengthen the recruitment and cultivation of high-level talent, improve access to high-performance computing power, and increase the availability of high-quality data... Zhejiang provincial government officially implemented the Several Measures to Support AI Innovation and Development on May 31, setting out a province-wide strategy to advance AI.

　　According to a related official from the Zhejiang Provincial Development and Reform Commission, the Measures clearly state that Zhejiang aims to cultivate a group of globally competitive and influential AI companies, with revenue from the province’s core AI industries expected to surpass 1.2 trillion yuan by 2030.

　　With a clear roadmap in place, regions across Zhejiang are leveraging their respective strengths to compete in the emerging AI arena, and a steady stream of phased achievements is already taking shape.

　　Wenzhou, leveraging the China (Wenzhou) Data Security Port platform launched in May 2022, has attracted more than 600 data-focused enterprises and incubated 469 data products. Focusing on key sectors such as new energy, semiconductors and optoelectronics, and aerospace information, Huzhou has formed 18 innovation consortia. Additionally, Taizhou is fast-tracking the Southeast Zhejiang Intelligent Computing Center Phase II Project, which, once completed, will provide essential computing power to fuel the development of the regional digital economy and AI industry…

　　“Proactive, high-standard planning is essential to avoid redundant, low-quality construction, enable enterprises to gain a competitive edge, and ensure sufficient support in funding, talent, and other resources,” said Chen Zhiran, Executive Director of the Zhejiang Artificial Intelligence Research Center at the Zhejiang Development & Planning Institute.

　　At the recently concluded 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference, Chen Feng, CEO of Zhejiang-based company Kandi Technology Group, expressed strong confidence in the broad market prospects of embodied intelligent robots. Chen Feng noted that the company will leverage its experience with overseas products such as golf carts and all-terrain vehicles to further expand its presence in the quadruped intelligent robot sector.

　　The future has arrived. Leveraging its early advantage in the digital economy, Zhejiang is steadily advancing its “Digital Zhejiang” initiative, continuously making meaningful progress to promote the healthy and orderly development of AI.