On September 12, the Research Report on the Development of AI Infrastructure in the Age of Intelligent Agents (2026), released by the China Telecom Research Institute, highlighted a significant shift in the AI industry. As the focus moves from large-scale model development and computing power rivalry to the widespread deployment and commercialization of intelligent agents, China is witnessing an explosive surge in demand for AI tokens. The report emphasizes that AI is entering a new era where intelligent agents are simplifying complex AI technologies, making them more accessible to the general public. This means that individuals and businesses can now accomplish sophisticated tasks through intelligent agents, eliminating the need for specialized technical knowledge.

Rao Shaoyang, Director of the Industry and Corporate Strategy Research Institute at the China Telecom Research Institute, forecasts that China’s annual AI token consumption will soar to 1 quadrillion by 2026 and surpass 350 quadrillion by 2030, marking a staggering compound annual growth rate of nearly 12 times.