A humanoid robot practices picking up cups at a cafe in Deqing county, Huzhou, Zhejiang province, on Jan 10. [Photo/IC]

Zhejiang province established an artificial intelligence plus new materials industry alliance on March 24, aiming to accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence with advanced materials development.

The province has a strong foundation in both sectors. In 2025, Zhejiang's new materials industry generated revenue exceeding 1.19 trillion yuan ($172.35 billion), ranking fourth nationwide.

Zhejiang is also a major center for artificial intelligence innovation. The province hosts large language models such as DeepSeek and Qwen, and has built an ecosystem characterized by leading foundation models, a concentration of key enterprises, and expanding application scenarios.

The alliance aims to build a provincial-level materials database within three years and launch at least three AI-driven materials design models. It will also support no fewer than 20 major research and commercialization projects focused on key technologies.

Officials said the initiative is expected to strengthen the integration of AI and manufacturing, supporting Zhejiang's goal of becoming a global hub for advanced manufacturing.