As first reported by Xinhua, Beijing—a city with over 3,000 years of urban heritage—is undergoing a profound transformation into China’s “AI First City.”
Once known primarily for its cultural significance, the capital is now synonymous with technological innovation, gathering the nation’s top AI scholars, major enterprises, and a growing list of pioneering achievements. These include the country’s first 100-billion-parameter large model, AI agent, unicorn company, and intelligent robot laboratory.
Source: x.com/uisee2031.
Among the most vivid illustrations of Beijing’s AI progress is UISEE Technology’s self-driving bus, seen smoothly navigating public roads in Fangshan District. Deceptively ordinary in appearance, the vehicle operates autonomously, showcasing AI capabilities in real-world environments. UISEE’s autonomous solutions now span six countries and power over 1,000 vehicles across 20 airports worldwide—underscoring how local innovations are making a global impact.
Reporters from Xinhua followed the “AI corridor” along Chenfu Road, Zhichun Road, and Zhongguancun Street—areas now dense with AI research, talent, and commercialization. Institutions like the Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence (BAAI) are developing next-generation models such as “Wujie Emu3,” aiming to bridge digital and physical realities. Visionaries such as Zhu Songchun and Wang Zhongyuan emphasized the city’s unique integration of academia, industry, and public policy in fueling AI breakthroughs.
Beijing’s government plays a crucial role, having established numerous national-level research centers and forward-looking policies to attract and retain young AI talent. With over 2,400 AI companies and a core industry scale nearing 350 billion yuan, Beijing now contributes more than half of China’s AI enterprise count and output. The capital’s “Top 10 Unicorn Measures” and AI-specific educational programs reflect a bold commitment to both foundational research and applied innovation.
Blending ancient legacy with futuristic ambition, Beijing is emerging not only as the symbolic heart of China but also as a global center for artificial intelligence. Its unique ecosystem of policy, talent, and technology has set the stage for continued leadership in the AI era—proving that an old capital can surf the newest technological waves with precision, vision, and purpose.
