China Steps Up Integrated National Data‑market Build‑out at Big‑data Expo, AI Drives Data‑element Value Unlocking

According to Xinhua News Agency, the National Data Administration lays out plans to accelerate the construction of an integrated national data market at the opening ceremony of the 2026 China International Big‑data Industry Expo on 28 August. Institutional accountability for developing and utilising public‑data resources will be consolidated, alongside six major initiatives for high‑quality dataset development including capacity expansion and data‑labelling drives. Policy work aims to foster a self‑reinforcing cycle where real‑world scenarios guide data provision, datasets feed model advancement, models empower end‑user applications and applications generate tangible economic value.

Artificial‑intelligence tools stand as powerful new enablers to unlock the latent potential of data elements. Emerging technologies such as ontology frameworks and data‑fabric architectures reshape workflows for data production and processing, lifting the volume and quality of available data supplies while stimulating market demand for data‑driven innovation. Roll‑outs of the “AI Plus” and “Data‑element Multiplier” initiatives encourage enterprises to treat artificial intelligence as a practical instrument for unlocking value from decades‑worth of accumulated corporate data stores.

Further innovation and real‑world deployment of artificial‑intelligence systems will receive strong impetus. Advanced AI techniques are set to streamline the efficient exploitation of data resources and release greater economic returns embedded within data assets.

Data‑enabled artificial‑intelligence advancement enters a fresh phase defined by heavy data dependency. The National Data Administration extends high‑quality dataset development and deployment in lock‑step with artificial‑intelligence progress. By August 2026, more than 126 000 high‑quality datasets have been assembled nationwide, totalling over 1 815 petabytes. This represents an increase of more than 89 per cent compared with figures recorded in March 2026.

Tokens open innovative pathways to realise value from data elements. Raw‑data value can be converted into callable intelligent‑service units via token‑based mechanisms, offering practical solutions for long‑standing obstacles including difficulties measuring data worth and distributing returns fairly across stakeholders. Token‑calling scenarios keep expanding, calling‑volume metrics surge rapidly and market demand expands at explosive rates.

*China Data Industry Development Report (2026)*, released during the opening session of the expo, records combined output value reaching 4.99 trillion yuan for AI‑enabled software products and token‑oriented data‑resource offerings, accounting for 73.6 per cent of relevant industry segments. Up to the end of 2025, 482 000 data‑focused enterprises operate across China, marking an annual rise of 17.9 per cent. Financing activity remains particularly vibrant for firms working on large‑scale models, synthetic simulation datasets and embodied‑intelligence services.

Market participants continue building out dataset infrastructures and token‑based service frameworks. New supply capacity for high‑grade datasets will come online across coming months, supporting iterative improvements for domestic artificial‑intelligence models and broadening commercial application boundaries for data‑element businesses.