Hefei powers China's AI ambitions

Hefei, the capital of Anhui province, is solidifying its position as a major force in China's booming artificial intelligence industry. Home to over 1,000 AI companies, the city generated more than 100 billion yuan ($13.8 billion) in AI-related revenue in 2024.

Leading firms like iFLYTEK and HiDream.ai exemplify this dynamic ecosystem.

Founded in 1999, iFLYTEK is a pioneer in core AI technologies like speech recognition, computer vision, and natural language processing. Its latest innovation, the Dual-Screen Translator 2.0, launched in April, supports 85 languages.

The translator was selected as the official translation device for the Canton Fair and the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition. It facilitates crucial communication in global trade.

"iFLYTEK is committed to boosting productivity and creating a better world with AI," said Dong Bin, deputy general manager of the brand marketing center at iFLYTEK, when interviewed about the company's mission on July 2.