Full Breakdown
AI Tokens Fuel a New Chinese Digital Economy
7/10/2026, 1:26:48 PM
Core Development: Emergence of a Token-Based AI Economy
Chinese technology experts say the rapid rise of artificial-intelligence (AI) tokens is creating a distinct “token economy.” Tokens—tiny units that AI models use to process and generate information—have moved beyond a technical metric to become a production factor that links model capability, computing resources and commercial value. The shift follows China’s earlier “data economy” and “computing economy” phases.
Scale of Token Consumption
National statistics show daily AI-token usage in China surged more than 1,000-fold over just two years. Consumption grew from roughly 100 billion tokens per day at the start of 2024 to 100 trillion tokens per day by the end of that year. In March 2025 daily usage topped 140 trillion tokens, equivalent to about 100 000 tokens per person based on the nation’s 1.4 billion population. The explosion reflects widespread corporate adoption of AI to boost productivity and automate operations.
Official Statements & Responses
Yin Hao, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, emphasized that the token economy represents the next stage of China’s digital transformation. He described tokens as “the fundamental units that AI models use to process and generate information” and argued they now serve as a new production factor connecting technology and commercial value. Yin’s remarks were delivered during a keynote address at the China Internet Conference in Beijing.
Verbatim Quotes
“The [Chinese] digital economy has gone through the stages of the data economy and the computing economy. Today, the token economy is emerging,” — Yin Hao, academician, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The sources provide extensive usage figures but do not detail how tokens are priced, how revenue is allocated among AI service providers, or what regulatory frameworks may govern the emerging token market. Further data on sector-specific adoption rates and potential government policy responses remain unavailable.
