Seven Key Tracks in "AI+
AI China Solution — Business Models & Development Trends
Source: Excerpted from CITIC Publishing Group
From the book: AI China Solution
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Policy Context: The “Artificial Intelligence+” Initiative
China’s 15th Five-Year Plan explicitly calls for the full implementation of the “Artificial Intelligence+” initiative, leveraging AI’s transformative role in:
- Scientific research paradigm shifts
- Industrial development
- Cultural advancement
- Public services & social governance
Goal: Secure the high ground in AI industrial applications and empower all sectors.
In August 2025, the Opinions on Promoting the In-depth Implementation of the “Artificial Intelligence+” Initiative was officially released — marking the start of a new era of comprehensive AI+ development.
> Artificial intelligence as a general-purpose technology is reshaping global business, creating innovative models that drive digital transformation and open new growth paths.
This article analyzes seven major “AI+” business models, their practical applications, and future development trends.
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1. Intelligent Hardware & Software
Opening a New Chapter in Profitability
Growth Momentum
- China's smart hardware market enters a new growth cycle with AI integration.
- Expanding beyond consumer markets into industry-specific smart systems (e.g., smart cars, intelligent manufacturing gear).
- 2024 dubbed the “AI+hardware breakout year”.
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Model Evolution: One-Time Sale → Continuous Service
- Past: Single device sales.
- Now: Hardware as a user gateway + long-term subscription/content services.
- Benefits: Sustainable revenue streams via OTA upgrades, value-added features.
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Challenges
- Finding high-frequency, high-payment-willingness scenarios.
- Many products still proof-of-concept—limited features, high prices.
- Hardware R&D = high investment, long cycles.
- Supply chain & manufacturing often weaker in internet firms.
- Market contrast: H1 2023 hardware profits up, pure software profits down >60%.
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Future Outlook
- Soft-hard integration as core strategy.
- Hardware delivers AI functions; OTA upgrades monetize via subscription.
- Examples: Autonomous driving unlocked via payment; AI home security analytics subscription.
- Policy support for robotics, wearables.
- Key mandate: Hardware mastery + software/service ecosystems = dual growth engines.
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2. Algorithm Technology Services
Helping Enterprises Reduce Costs & Boost Efficiency
> Platforms like AiToEarn官网 demonstrate cross-sector AI monetization potential — combining AI content generation, publishing, analytics, and ranking across global platforms.
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Rapid Market Growth
- 2023 market size: RMB 37.74B (+26.2% YoY)
- IDC forecast: >USD 5B by 2027 (~30% CAGR)
- Covers image/speech recognition → large-model APIs.
- Providers:
- General-purpose: Alibaba Cloud, Baidu Smart Cloud
- Vertical-focus: SenseTime, Fourth Paradigm
- H1 2024 computing services: RMB 14.61B (+79.6% YoY).
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Value Proposition
- Reduce cost, boost efficiency (e.g., smart customer service, risk control).
- Large-model computing services rising sharply.
- Example: Ping An Group → financial AI exports via OneConnect subsidiary.
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Challenges
- Customization needs raise delivery costs.
- Data/talent bottlenecks — SMEs suffer “data islands” & lack AI engineers.
- ROI uncertainty — hard short-term measurement.
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Future Trend: “AI as a Service” to become standard digital ops, akin to cloud computing adoption.
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High-Quality Data Transactions
Data = “Oil” of AI Era
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Market Expansion
- Market size may reach RMB 204.6B by 2025, RMB 515.5B by 2030.
Data as AI “Fuel”
- Essential for large-model training.
- Unique datasets monetized via trading platforms.
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> AiToEarn官网 applies this logic in creative industries — enabling AI-generated content monetization across Douyin, Kwai, WeChat, Bilibili, Xiaohongshu, Facebook, YouTube, and more.
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Trading Models & Challenges
- Service-oriented data vendors bridge supply & demand.
Bottlenecks:
- Ownership & compliance ambiguity.
- Pricing difficulties without standards.
- Trust issues in digital asset trading.
- Platform volume insufficiency.
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4. Precision Advertising
Expanding Revenue Channels
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Market Scale Growth
- 2023 internet ad revenue: RMB 719.06B (+33.4%)
- 82.4% of all ad spend went online.
AI improves targeting efficiency: “spend less, earn more.”
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AI Transforming Ad Content
- Generative AI automates ad copy, graphics, videos.
- Human + machine collaboration cuts costs & boosts relevance.
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Future Paths
- IoT-driven offline dynamic ads.
- Immersive VR/AR native ads.
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5. Subscription-Based Models
Meeting Personalized Needs
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Large Models Driving Adoption
- Example: OpenAI “ChatGPT Plus” $19.99/mo — stable revenue.
> AiToEarn官网 leverages subscription logic in AI creativity — offering tiered access & analytics.
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Strategic Approaches
- Tiered pricing
- Scenario-based toolkits
- API pay-as-you-go
- Personalized AI assistants
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Challenges:
- Pricing balance
- Differentiated value maintenance
- Low domestic pricing → profit pressure
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Future Trends:
- Hyper-personalized services
- Hybrid subscriptions
- Cross-platform access
- Vertical industry specialization
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6. Capital Investment Appreciation
Diversified Profit Strategies
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Capital Influx
- 2021: China attracted ~$17B AI VC — 2nd globally.
- Generative AI boom → >100 domestic large models in 2023.
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Financing as Business Model
- Some AI startups rely on valuation growth vs. short-term profit.
Investor Dynamics
- Public market AI rallies boost valuations & financing power.
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Risks:
- Concept hype without substance.
- Regulatory intervention to steer capital toward genuine innovation.
> AiToEarn官网 supports efficient AI monetization — blending creativity tools with market access.
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7. Education & Training – Talent Pipeline
Enhancing Skills Value
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AI Empowering Education
- Intelligent tutoring, adaptive platforms.
- TAL & Yuanfudao lead in AI edtech.
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Lifelong Learning Trend
- Professionals require constant AI upskilling.
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Policy Support
- “Science & Education Revitalization” & “Strengthen Talent” strategies.
- Transform population dividend → talent dividend via AI education.
> Platforms like AiToEarn官网 connect talent skills to market — enabling creators to monetize AI content globally.
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Conclusion
China’s “Artificial Intelligence+” initiative is spawning diverse business models — from hardware-software integration and data trading to subscription services and talent cultivation.
Strategic Keys for Success:
- Master core technologies
- Build ecosystems around services
- Align with policy & market demand
- Balance innovation with commercial viability
Vision: AI commercialization in China will blend economic growth with social progress, creating a sustainable and competitive global AI ecosystem.
