Introduction to AI Adoption in China
The AI adoption in China has reached unprecedented levels, with the country’s generative artificial intelligence user base doubling to 515 million in just six months, according to a report released by the China Internet Network Information Centre (CNNIC). This dramatic expansion represents an adoption rate of 36.5% in the first half of 2025, positioning China as a formidable force in the global AI landscape.
Demographic Profile of Users
The survey of 30,000 respondents across 31 provinces reveals distinct patterns in who is embracing these technologies. Young and middle-aged professionals dominate the user base, with those under 40 years old accounting for 74.6% of all users. Education levels also play a significant role, as individuals with degrees from higher education institutions represent 37.5% of the total user base. This demographic concentration suggests that in China, the AI adoption is currently strongest among digitally native, educated populations who are positioned to leverage these tools in professional and personal contexts.
Domestic Models Dominate Market Preferences
Perhaps most notably, the report found that over 90% of respondents indicated their first choice was a domestic AI model. This preference for homegrown solutions reflects both Beijing’s strategic emphasis on technological self-reliance and the practical reality that leading American models from OpenAI and Google DeepMind are officially blocked on the mainland. Chinese AI platforms have filled this void effectively. Models such as DeepSeek, Alibaba Cloud’s Qwen, and ByteDance’s Doubao have “exploded in popularity among Chinese users.”
Global Context and Comparative Analysis
Despite restrictions on access to US-based AI models, China’s market has already established itself as the world’s largest. A Microsoft study published in September found that China had an estimated AI user base exceeding 195 million as of June 2024. The company’s research utilised a metric that quantifies China’s AI adoption as the share of the working-age population actively using AI tools. The Microsoft study identified a crucial inflexion point: the launch of DeepSeek’s R1 model in January 2025 led to AI adoption in China more than doubling to 20% in the subsequent six months. By comparison, the United States maintained a relatively steady adoption rate of approximately 25% over the past year.
Innovation and Patent Leadership
Beyond user adoption metrics, China has established significant leadership in AI innovation as measured by patent applications. The CNNIC report noted that China had filed 1.576 million AI-related patent applications as of April 2025, representing 38.58% of the global total—the highest share of any country worldwide. This patent activity suggests that the AI adoption in China extends beyond consumer usage to encompass substantial research and development efforts across the technology stack.
Strategic Policy Framework
The rapid expansion in China’s AI adoption aligns with Beijing’s “AI Plus” initiative, which calls for widespread diffusion of AI technologies throughout society and the economy. The government has emphasised the importance of self-reliance across the entire AI ecosystem, from foundational models to computing hardware. This policy framework has created an environment where domestic technology companies are incentivised to develop competitive AI solutions while users are encouraged to integrate these tools into their daily workflows.
Implications for the Global AI Landscape
The doubling of China’s generative AI user base to 515 million users in six months represents more than a statistical milestone. It signals the emergence of a parallel AI ecosystem that operates largely independently of Western platforms yet serves a massive user population. As China’s AI adoption continues to accelerate, the global technology landscape may increasingly feature two distinct spheres of influence—one centred on American models and platforms, another on Chinese alternatives. This bifurcation could have profound implications for how AI technologies evolve, how innovation diffuses across borders, and how global standards for AI governance take shape.
Conclusion
The growth of AI adoption in China is a significant development in the global technology landscape. With its large user base, innovative companies, and supportive government policies, China is poised to play a major role in shaping the future of AI. As the country continues to invest in AI research and development, it is likely that we will see even more exciting innovations and applications of AI in the years to come.
FAQs
- How many users of generative AI are there in China?
There are 515 million users of generative AI in China, according to a report by the China Internet Network Information Centre (CNNIC). - What is the age range of the majority of AI users in China?
The majority of AI users in China are under 40 years old, accounting for 74.6% of all users. - What is the preference of Chinese users when it comes to AI models?
Over 90% of respondents indicated their first choice was a domestic AI model, reflecting Beijing’s strategic emphasis on technological self-reliance. - How does China’s AI adoption compare to other countries?
China’s market has already established itself as the world’s largest, with an estimated AI user base exceeding 195 million as of June 2024. - What are the implications of China’s AI adoption for the global technology landscape?
The growth of AI adoption in China could lead to the emergence of a parallel AI ecosystem, with two distinct spheres of influence—one centred on American models and platforms, another on Chinese alternatives.
