China’s artificial intelligence (AI) innovation is surging, with the number of effective AI invention patents reaching 378,000 by the end of 2023, according to the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA). This marks a remarkable year-on-year growth of over 40 percent, significantly outpacing the global average.
“The growth rate in China is 1.4 times higher than the global average,” a CNIPA spokesperson announced at a press conference in Beijing on Monday. This rapid expansion highlights the robust vitality of China’s digital economy and its commitment to technological advancement.
In 2023, the digital economy’s core industries contributed 10 percent to China’s GDP, underscoring the sector’s increasing importance. The number of invention patents approved in these core industries reached 406,000, representing 45 percent of all granted invention patents in the country. Over the past five years, the average annual growth rate of invention patents in the digital economy has stood at 21 percent.
“Technological innovations are thriving in the field of the digital economy,” noted Ge Shu, a senior official at CNIPA. By the end of 2023, a total of 155,000 domestic enterprises had obtained invention patents related to the digital economy, an increase of 31,000 compared to the previous year. This growth indicates a strong momentum among Chinese enterprises in embracing digital technologies.
Foreign enterprises are also enhancing their patent portfolios within China’s digital economy. As of the end of last year, entities from 93 countries and regions held valid invention patents in China’s core digital industries. The digital product manufacturing sector accounted for 61.8 percent of these foreign-held patents, demonstrating international confidence in China’s digital market.
The AI industry, in particular, exemplifies the dynamism of China’s digital landscape. The substantial growth in AI patents signifies the country’s strategic focus on AI development and its aspiration to be a global leader in this transformative technology.
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China owns 378,000 AI patents, rising faster than global average
cgtn.com
