In recent years, the Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone has prioritized the development of an industrial pilot zone for artificial intelligence (AI), fostering a comprehensive AI industrial chain spanning across AI application and industrial collaboration.

Occupying a mere 2% of Hefei's land area in Anhui province, the pilot zone now hosts 573 core AI enterprises. It has established a complete layout spanning fundamental research, technological R&D, and scenario applications, positioning itself as Anhui's core hub for AI industry.

Leveraging resources from institutions such as the University of Science and Technology of China, the pilot zone has cultivated a number of innovative enterprises with global competitiveness. iFlytek, a pioneer in intelligent speech and large-scale AI models for over two decades, has achieved mass adoption of its Spark Large Model across diverse scenarios. HiDream.ai, specializing in multimodal Artificial Intelligence Generated Content (AIGC), showcased its self-developed models at the 2026 CCTV Spring Festival Gala Hefei venue, providing AI visual support for large-scale cultural events.

As China's first national-level AI industrial base, the China Speech Valley within the Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone has attracted over 100 innovation platforms. It has catalyzed the formation of a large-model ecosystem involving iFlytek, GuoChuang Software, and other enterprises, yielding solutions in voice interaction, power grid vision, and the industrial internet.

Additionally, the AI industrial pilot zone offers international supporting measures such as computing power support, open application scenarios, and one-stop services. It has created 30 "AI+" benchmark scenarios, promoting technology application in fields such as intelligent manufacturing, new energy, and smart cities. It also provides low-cost space, financing matchmaking, and talent services for domestic and international startup teams.

The pilot zone has been attracting innovative startups and talent. Companies like HiDream.ai have received full-cycle support in computing resources, supply chain synergy, and market expansion, enabling rapid product iteration and global outreach. Anchored by platforms such as the Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, the pilot zone is becoming a preferred destination for AI teams to conduct R&D, testing, and industrialization.

Currently, the Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone hosts over 1,500 AI-related enterprises across the entire industrial chain, holding multiple national titles such as National AI Industrial Cluster and National Advanced Manufacturing Cluster for Intelligent Speech. Its products and solutions have entered global markets.

Looking forward, the zone will continue to foster an open environment, enhance computing capacity, improve industrial ecosystems, and expand global partnerships. It aims to support breakthroughs in frontier fields including large models, embodied intelligence, autonomous driving, and AI chips.