Often referred to as China's Silicon Valley, Shenzhen has secured the second spot among the 100 most competitive cities in artificial intelligence (AI) development in China, as per a recent research report.
The China Artificial Intelligence City Competitiveness Ranking Research Report, jointly released by TMTPost Group, Firestone Inventing, and JD Group, was released at the 2024 Consumer Technology and Innovation Exhibition in Shanghai last week. Beijing took first place, and Shanghai followed closely in third place.
The report assessed the latest AI developments in 338 cities nationwide, evaluating four dimensions — factor reserves, development potential, benefit output, and urban penetration.
Shenzhen's rise as an AI powerhouse is no coincidence. The city's strategic location, favorable business environment, and strong government support have fostered an environment conducive to technological breakthroughs. By attracting top talent, nurturing research institutions, and promoting collaboration, Shenzhen has become a breeding ground for AI innovation.
According to the 2024 Shenzhen Artificial Intelligence Industry Development White Paper, unveiled in April by the Shenzhen Artificial Intelligence Industry Association and a local digital technology firm, Shenzhen's core AI industries reached an economic scale of 38.7 billion yuan (US$5.33 billion) by the end of 2023, a year-on-year increase of 12.1%.
Core AI industries include computer vision, intelligent voice technology, conversational AI, machine learning (including autonomous driving systems), natural language processing, knowledge graphs, and AI chips.
The number of AI-related patent applications reached 6,080 in 2023, ranking Shenzhen second among major cities in the country. The city housed 1,646 AI-related firms, ranking it third in the country.
Robust innovation within the city's robotics industry is evident from the explosive growth in patent applications and grants over the past decade, according to a white paper on the robotics industry released by the Shenzhen Robotics Association in April.
Last year, the number of robotics-related patent grants increased by 4.7 times compared to 2015, and over 10,000 new robotics-related companies were registered in the city. The total output value of the industry chain has reached an impressive 179.7 billion yuan.
In 2022, Shenzhen released the country’s first local regulation dedicated to boosting AI development in China.
The regulation aims to promote the AI industry by encouraging government agencies to be early adopters of AI technologies and enhancing financial support for AI research in the city.