Wang Jian, director of Zhejiang Lab and a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, has been focusing on making artificial intelligence widely accessible.

In recent years, China's artificial intelligence sector has developed rapidly, with breakthroughs such as DeepSeek and Seedance models drawing global attention.

In Hangzhou, open-source ecosystems built around foundation models such as DeepSeek and Alibaba Cloud's Qwen have enabled research teams and startups to accelerate technological innovation.

Wang said the mission of technology developers is not to raise barriers or rely on high subscription fees, but to make artificial intelligence tools that everyone can use and afford. He compared the ideal form of AI to a "pencil" rather than a "brush".

A brush requires ink, paper, and training, while a pencil can be picked up and used immediately, he explained. While brush calligraphy has artistic value, he said, technologies can only truly thrive when they become as simple and accessible as a pencil.

Wang added that small and medium-sized enterprises are often the most sensitive to technological change and market opportunities. When artificial intelligence becomes embedded in everyday economic activity, he said, innovation will gain far broader space to grow.