China has reported a remarkable surge in data generation, producing 32.85 zettabytes of data in 2023—a 22.44 percent increase from the previous year. This milestone was highlighted in a report released at the 7th Digital China Summit held in Fuzhou, southeast China’s Fujian Province.
To put it into perspective, one zettabyte equals one trillion gigabytes. The explosive growth in data signifies China’s expanding digital footprint in the global landscape.
The 2023 National Data Resource Survey Report attributes this surge primarily to the rapid development of 5G and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, along with the widespread adoption of smart devices. These advancements have fueled unstructured data production through content creation and the proliferation of audiovisual media.
In terms of data storage, China’s cumulative volume reached 1.73 zettabytes in 2023, with a storage space utilization rate climbing to 59 percent. This indicates a substantial increase in the country’s capacity to store and manage vast amounts of information.
Computing power has also seen significant growth. By the end of 2023, the scale of computing power across more than 2,200 computing centers nationwide had expanded by approximately 30 percent year on year. The demand for computing power, especially for large-scale AI model training, surged across scientific, governmental, financial, and industrial sectors.
Despite these advancements, the report suggests that China’s overall management and utilization of data resources are still in the initial stages. Challenges such as inadequate effective data supply persist, indicating room for improvement in data governance and infrastructure.
This unprecedented growth in data production underscores China’s evolving role in the global digital economy. As the nation continues to invest in cutting-edge technologies, addressing data management challenges will be crucial for sustaining growth and fostering innovation across various sectors.
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China reports production of 32.85 zettabytes of data in 2023
cgtn.com
