China Sees AI Adoption Double to 515M Users in Six Months

China’s adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is surging, with the generative AI user base doubling to 515 million in just six months, according to a recent report by the China Internet Network Information Centre (CNNIC). This explosive growth signals a major shift in the global AI landscape, potentially creating a parallel ecosystem driven by domestic innovation and policy.

The CNNIC report, released this week, reveals a remarkable 36.5% adoption rate in the first half of 2025. This rapid expansion highlights how deeply AI technologies are becoming embedded in Chinese society, a trend fueled by robust infrastructure investments and significant state support.

Demographic Profile of Users

The study, based on a survey of 30,000 individuals across 31 provinces, provides insights into the user demographics. The dominant group is young and middle-aged professionals, with those under 40 comprising nearly 75% of all users. Education levels are also a key factor, as individuals with higher education degrees account for over a third of the user base. This concentration suggests that AI adoption is particularly strong among digitally fluent, educated segments of the population, who are positioned to leverage these tools in both their professional and personal lives.

Domestic Models Dominate Market Preferences

Perhaps one of the most telling findings is the strong preference for domestic AI models, with over 90% of respondents choosing them as their first option. This inclination is influenced by Beijing’s push for technological self-sufficiency and the restrictions on leading U.S. models from companies like OpenAI and Google DeepMind within mainland China. However, this isn’t solely a matter of access. Chinese AI companies have stepped up to meet the demand, often tailoring their AI solutions to the specific nuances of the Chinese language, culture, and regulatory environment.

Companies like DeepSeek, Alibaba Cloud (with its Qwen model), and ByteDance (and its Doubao application) are experiencing explosive growth in popularity. Alibaba Cloud, in particular, is leveraging its robust cloud infrastructure to support its AI offerings, creating a compelling proposition for businesses and individual users alike. This integrated approach, combining AI expertise with established cloud computing capabilities, provides a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving market.

Global Context and Comparative Analysis

Even with limited access to U.S.-based AI solutions, China has already established itself as a significant player in the global AI market. A Microsoft study from last year found that China had an estimated AI user base exceeding 195 million as of June 2024. It’s worth noting the difference in how adoption rates are measured. The rate represents the proportion of the working-age population actively engaging with AI tools.

The Microsoft findings pinpoints when DeepSeek’s R1 model was launched to have led the AI adoptions to more than double to 20% in the six months that followed. In contrast, the United States maintained a steady adoption rate of about 25% over that period.

Innovation and Patent Leadership

Beyond user adoption, China is demonstrating its strength in AI innovation through patent activity. The CNNIC report highlights that China had filed 1.576 million AI-related patent applications as of April 2025, representing 38.58% of the global total – the largest share worldwide. This prolific patent filing suggests that Chinese AI activity goes far beyond simple adoption encompassing significant R&D efforts across the board.

Strategic Policy Framework

This rapid AI adoption in China is directly linked to the government’s “AI Plus” initiative, which aims to diffuse AI technologies throughout society and the economy. The government is heavily promoting self-sufficiency across the AI ecosystem, from developing foundational models to constructing computing hardware. To bolster, they also offer strategic incentives to domestic tech companies and encourage using these tools in workflows.

Implications for the Global AI Landscape

The doubling of China’s generative AI user base to 515 million in six months is a major shift. It signals the rise of a parallel AI ecosystem that caters to its huge user population while still independently operating. China’s ever growing AI landscape might just offer a glimpse between two distinct areas of technological influence – American influence and Chinese alternatives.

This could profoundly impact how AI tech develops, how fast innovation spreads, and how AI governance standards are shaped worldwide. It remains to be seen if this strong growth will be sustained and how well AI platforms in China meet user needs in a fast-paced, competitive market.