Record-Breaking Growth

Between December 2024 and June 2025, China added 266 million new generative AI users, bringing the adoption rate to 36.5 percent of the nation’s internet population. The growth is driven by the national “AI Plus” strategy, which aims to integrate AI into society and the economy, supported by strong government investment in AI infrastructure.

Young and Educated Users Lead the Trend

The majority of AI users in China are young and highly educated. According to the report, 74.6 percent of users are under 40 years old, and 37.5 percent hold a college degree or higher. This demographic has become the primary force driving AI adoption, using it for work, study, and everyday applications.

Preference for Domestic AI Models

More than 90 percent of Chinese users prefer domestically developed AI models. Popular platforms include DeepSeek, Alibaba Cloud’s Qwen, and ByteDance’s Doubao. Limited access to foreign models such as OpenAI and Google DeepMind has also contributed to this trend. Government policies emphasize AI self-reliance, encouraging innovation across models, applications, and underlying hardware.

Global Leadership in AI Adoption

China’s AI growth outpaces global trends. A Microsoft study in June 2025 found that China had become the world’s largest AI market, while the United States maintains an adoption rate of around 25 percent. The launch of DeepSeek’s R1 model in January 2025 played a key role in doubling China’s user base within six months.

Innovation and Future Outlook

CNNIC officials expect further growth in open-source AI, embodied intelligence such as robots and AI agents, and AI governance. China also leads in AI patent activity, with 1.576 million applications as of April 2025, accounting for 38.58 percent of the global total.

Global AI Race: China’s Scale vs. U.S. Per-Capita Adoption

China’s massive AI user base gives it a clear advantage in scale, allowing rapid testing, deployment, and development of new AI technologies. Meanwhile, the U.S. leads in adoption rate per person, showing deeper integration of AI into daily life and business. Together, these trends highlight a global AI race, with China dominating in user numbers and the U.S. excelling in per-capita engagement and innovation.

Widespread Applications

Generative AI is being actively used in intelligent search, content creation, office assistance, and smart devices. Its applications are expanding into agriculture, industrial manufacturing, and scientific research. The CNNIC report shows that AI is becoming a core driver of China’s digital economy and future innovation strategy and a global phenomenon.

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