Once celebrated for its UNESCO-listed gardens and winding canals, Suzhou in Jiangsu Province on the Chinese mainland has quietly redefined itself as a leader in AI and intelligent manufacturing. With 160,000 industrial enterprises17,400 of them high-techand a record 4.7 trillion yuan in industrial output in 2024, the city demonstrates how tradition and innovation can flourish side by side.
Nurturing a High-Tech Ecosystem
Suzhou's leap forward is no accident. Under its "1030" strategyfocusing on 10 key industrial clusters and 30 critical value chainsthe city has placed artificial intelligence at the heart of its modern industrialization plan. Policy continuity has been vital: for the past two years, including this year, Suzhou has launched its annual agenda with a "New Year's First Meeting" on the first working day of January, signaling a renewed commitment to advanced manufacturing and tech innovation.
A skilled workforce is central to this effort. Suzhou's talent pool now numbers 4.07 million, with 450,000 high-level professionals supported by the Suzhou Innovation and Entrepreneurship Leading Talent Programnow in its 17th year. Cutting-edge research platforms like the Suzhou Laboratory and the Deep-time Digital Earth International Science Program, alongside the open innovation environment of the Suzhou Industrial Park, provide a strong foundation for breakthroughs.
Clusters and Lighthouse Factories
Transitioning from standalone plants to interconnected ecosystems, Suzhou ranks among the top five cities on the Chinese mainland for AI development. In 2024, its AI sector generated 236.2 billion yuan in revenue, up 20% year over year. Seven local "Lighthouse Factories," recognized by the World Economic Forum, showcase global benchmarks in intelligent manufacturing and digitalization. Hengtong Group, one standout, began its digital journey back in 1998proof that today's high-tech edge is built on decades of strategic upgrading.
AISPEECH: A Case Study in Symbiosis
AISPEECH, founded in Cambridge, UK, in 2007 and relocated to Suzhou Industrial Park in 2008, epitomizes the city's collaborative spirit. In July 2023, the company unveiled its DFM-2 conversational language modelthe first AI model in Jiangsu to meet dual filing requirements under the Chinese mainland's generative AI regulations. "Suzhou's cluster dynamics in high-end equipment and automotive electronics have been instrumental to our growth," says Long Mengzhu, AISPEECH's Chief Marketing Officer.
Balancing Heritage and Tomorrow
As Suzhou preserves its classical gardens and canal-lined streets, it simultaneously forges a high-tech future. This quiet revolutiondriven by strategic planning, talent investment, and ecosystem synergyoffers a blueprint for cities worldwide seeking to marry cultural heritage with cutting-edge innovation.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
