Pudong New Area is accelerating AI deployment as a core priority of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), with its AI industry reaching 163.7 billion yuan ($23.15 billion) in 2024 — about 40 percent of Shanghai's total — supported by expanding compute clusters, model development, and integrated innovation.

Zhangjiang AI innovation town has emerged as a new hub, home to more than 200 vertical model enterprises and over 70 embodied intelligence companies. Entrepreneurs say the dense ecosystem significantly shortens collaboration cycles and accelerates the transformation of new ideas into commercial products.

At the heart of Zhangjiang AI innovation town is the Model Matrixs Community, Pudong New Area's first vertical large-model cluster. It sits alongside Zhangjiang Artificial Intelligence Island and the Shanghai Science and Technology Investment Co, forming a full-chain environment for AI research, application and financing.

ZhangJiang Science City in Pudong New Area. [Photo/WeChat ID: pdnews]

Automotive cockpit AI supplier Shanghai Jidou Technology Co, one of the first tenants at Model Matrixs Community, reported rapid expansion after relocating. Its revenue grew 70 percent, with overseas business rising sharply as its products reached more than 140 countries and regions.

Model Matrixs Community. [Photo/WeChat ID: pdnews]

Nearby Zhangjiang Artificial Intelligence Island, China's first 5G plus AI all-scenario commercial demonstration zone, brings together multinationals, leading laboratories, and major domestic innovators. The zone serves as a best-practice area integrating industry, academia, research, and application across manufacturing, life sciences, fintech, and urban management.

Vertical AI application. [Photo/WeChat ID: pdnews]

Health-tech firm LIANREN Digital Health says Pudong New Area's data-factor reforms have allowed it to integrate multi-source medical data and build extensive knowledge graphs. Its services now reach 10 provinces, supporting hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and partners in jointly shaping a new digital-health ecosystem.