TLDR: China’s generative artificial intelligence (AI) user base has doubled within six months to reach 515 million by June 2025, according to a new report. This surge, representing a 36.5% penetration rate, highlights the rapid integration of AI into daily life, with young and highly educated individuals forming the core user demographic. Domestic AI models are overwhelmingly preferred, driving widespread application across various sectors.
BEIJING, October 18, 2025 – A recent report released by the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) reveals a dramatic expansion in China’s generative artificial intelligence (AI) user base, which reached 515 million by June 2025. This figure marks a doubling of users within a mere six months, representing an increase of 266 million from December 2024, and elevating the user penetration rate across the country to 36.5 percent. The findings were made public at the 2025 China Internet Infrastructure Resources Conference held in Beijing on Saturday.
The report underscores the steady integration of generative AI into the everyday lives of Chinese citizens, with a distinct demographic profile emerging among its core users. Individuals under the age of 40 constitute a significant 74.6 percent of all generative AI users, while 37.5 percent hold a junior college degree or higher, indicating a strong correlation between youth, education, and AI adoption.
Chinese-made generative AI models have garnered substantial popularity among users, with a survey indicating that over 90 percent of users prefer domestic large-scale models. This preference is fueling intelligent transformation and upgrades across a multitude of application scenarios. Generative AI is now widely utilized in areas such as intelligent search, content creation, office assistance, and smart devices. Furthermore, its utility is actively being explored and applied in critical sectors including agricultural production, industrial manufacturing, and scientific research.
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Beyond domestic adoption, the report also highlights China’s growing influence in the global AI landscape. By April 2025, China had filed an impressive 1.576 million AI-related patent applications, accounting for 38.58 percent of the global total, the highest share of any country. Liu Yulin, director of CNNIC, commented on this rapid evolution, stating that the surge in generative AI users signifies a pivotal shift from initial trial use to widespread, everyday application across the nation. This transformation positions AI as a mature service supporting hundreds of millions of users, far beyond its origins as a laboratory concept.
