China’s generative AI user base crosses 700 million, covering over half the population

The rapid expansion of China's generative AI user base suggests a broad integration of this technology into daily life, moving beyond early adopter phases. The reported 16% increase in users within six months indicates a strong growth trajectory, pushing the penetration rate above 50% of the population. This scale of adoption can influence how AI services evolve and are regulated within the country.

User behavior data offers insight into how generative AI is currently valued. The prominence of question-and-answer services, cited by 76% of users, suggests that information retrieval and basic problem-solving are primary drivers. This contrasts with more specialized applications like image or video processing, used by 48% of users, and text processing, used by 38%, which are significant but less widespread.

The survey also points to an expansion of AI beyond software. Some 39% of users had bought smart hardware online during the past six months. This suggests that AI is not solely a software phenomenon but is increasingly embedded in physical products, potentially creating new market opportunities and shifting consumer expectations for connected devices. This trend could accelerate the convergence of AI software and hardware development.