TLDR: China is rapidly bolstering its regulatory framework for artificial intelligence as the nation experiences an unprecedented surge in AI adoption and innovation. With over 515 million generative AI users by June 2025, a significant increase from December 2024, the government is implementing policies to ensure the sector’s healthy and secure development. The country also leads globally in AI-related patent applications, underscoring its commitment to both technological advancement and robust governance.
Beijing, China – October 22, 2025 – China is significantly strengthening its governance measures for artificial intelligence, responding to a dramatic increase in AI usage and a burgeoning domestic innovation landscape. Recent data highlights the nation’s rapid embrace of AI, necessitating a robust institutional framework to guide its development.
According to a report released by the China Internet Network Information Center over the weekend, China’s generative AI user base reached an impressive 515 million by June 2025. This figure represents a substantial increase of 266 million users since December 2024, indicating a swift transition from trial use to everyday application across various sectors. Liu Yulin, director of the center, emphasized that AI has evolved from a theoretical concept into a mature service, now supporting hundreds of millions nationwide. Zhang Xiao, deputy director of the center, further elaborated, stating, ‘As a strategic technology leading a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, AI is profoundly reshaping the way humans produce and live.’
Demographically, the generative AI user base in China is predominantly young and highly educated. Individuals under 40 years old constitute 74.6 percent of all users, with 37.5 percent holding a junior college degree or higher. This demographic profile underscores the government’s successful efforts in promoting AI literacy among key segments of the population. The most popular applications of generative AI products include answering questions, office assistance, and content creation such as images and videos.
In parallel with user growth, the number of AI products has also expanded rapidly. By the end of August, 538 generative AI services had been officially registered with the Cyberspace Administration of China, marking an increase of 192 services since March. This proliferation of services is largely driven by Chinese-developed large AI models, which have gained widespread popularity and are driving intelligent transformation across various application scenarios. Many users primarily rely on domestic platforms like DeepSeek, Alibaba Cloud’s Qwen, and ByteDance’s Doubao.
China’s commitment to AI leadership extends to intellectual property, where it holds a commanding position. As of April, the country had filed approximately 1.58 million AI-related patent applications, accounting for 38.58 percent of the global total, securing its rank as the world leader in this domain.
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To manage this rapid expansion, China has intensified its efforts to regulate AI technology since last year. The government has placed a high priority on establishing a comprehensive governance system, implementing policies and rules to ensure the sector’s healthy and secure development. Legal professionals have suggested classifying AI applications based on their risk levels to facilitate categorized regulation. This strategic approach aims to balance technological advancement with responsible oversight, ensuring AI’s benefits are realized while mitigating potential risks.
