The Dongjiang Lake Big Data Centre in Hunan Province operates over 36,000 servers and is a promising example of a green data centre. It uses an innovative cooling system that pumps cold water from the lake and employs plate heat exchangers to maintain an optimal temperature of around 26°C. This process only raises the water temperature by two to three degrees before returning it to the lake, ensuring minimal environmental impact. The data centre aims to save 2 billion kilowatt- hours (kWh) of electricity annually, which translates to a decrease in carbon dioxide emissions by 2 million tonnes. Additionally, it relies on renewable energy sources such as hydroelectric, wind and solar power to sustain its operations.29CASE STUDY 3 Dongjiang Lake Big Data Centre – sustainable cooling and renewable energy innovation 2.5 Efforts to cultivate AI talent With China’s rapid advances in AI technology, demand for skilled AI professionals has surged. Applications in fields such as autonomous driving, smart manufacturing and healthcare are further driving the need for professionals with diversified skills. At least 535 universities in China currently offer AI-related majors,30 reflecting a growing emphasis on AI talent cultivation across the country. It’s estimated that China now accounts for nearly half of the world’s top AI researchers.31 Tsinghua University, for instance, has become renowned as a hub for top AI start-ups founded by its faculty and alumni. More broadly, China’s emphasis on AI clustering strengthens its talent pipeline by creating hubs of excellence centred around leading universities and research institutions. These clusters create a self- reinforcing cycle of talent and resource aggregation, further driving AI innovation and boosting China’s competitiveness in the global AI talent landscape. Applications in fields such as autonomous driving, smart manufacturing and healthcare are further driving the need for professionals with diversified skills. 15 Blueprint to Action: China’s Path to AI-Powered Industry Transformation

Blueprint to Action Chinas Path to AI-Powered Industry Transformation 2025