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

The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) is one of the world’s largest banks. To enhance its enterprise-wide risk management, ICBC developed the ICBC Security e-Message (融安e信), an anti-fraud platform. The platform embraces digitalization in credit risk management and explores multi-scenario applications of big data and AI. The platform also integrates more than 3 billion pieces of internal and external data to provide intelligent risk control services, supporting over 300 corporate clients in the financial services sector in the process.59USE CASE 8 Industrial and Commercial Bank of China – enhancing risk management with AI-powered eShield anti-fraud platformFinance When it comes to digital finance, China is a leader in market size, number of users and net interest income; $460 billion in 2024, equal to about 31% of the global total.54 The country also leads in digital payments, with platforms like Alipay and WeChat Pay ubiquitous in daily transactions.55 China’s finance industry has established a solid digital foundation and is at the forefront of AI transformation efforts. For example, 12 Chinese financial firms made it into the global top 20 ranking by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Technology Review for public patent applications related to AI models.56 Chinese financial institutions are also actively creating AI ecosystems by collaborating with tech giants, telecom operators and business clients. The goal is to aggregate multidimensional data, high-performance computing power and advanced algorithms to make their respective firms truly AI-driven. The table below shows widespread AI applications in Chinese finance, spanning financial inclusion, fraud detection, credit risk management and digital payment. Application Solutions in China Financial inclusion –AI expands financial access by using alternative data for credit scoring, enabling banks to lend to individuals without traditional credit histories. –Predicts small enterprise cash flow, enabling financial institutions to offer tailored wealth-management services.57 Fraud detection –AI strengthens fraud detection by analysing transaction data and using predictive algorithms to spot potential risks. Credit risk management –Machine learning analyses borrower profiles and credit histories, helping banks make more informed lending decisions. Digital payment –A cashless ecosystem permeates daily life, with mobile payment penetration reaching 86% of the population.58 –Facial and voice recognition improve payment security, efficiency and user experience. –AI enables efficient, automated processing of cross-border transactions.Selected scenarios and solutions in finance TABLE 5 Blueprint to Action: China’s Path to AI-Powered Industry Transformation 22