AI helps businesses in Wenzhou cut costs and boost efficiency
Artificial intelligence is being increasingly adopted by businesses large and small in Wenzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, helping them improve production efficiency and reduce costs.
One emerging role is the so-called “AI translator” — a specialist who helps traditional manufacturers turn the experience of veteran workers into data that machines can understand. The approach is particularly relevant to Wenzhou's footwear and apparel industries.
Wang Bo's team, for example, is training AI systems to identify different types of leather. Inspection images are collected, turned into datasets and used to train models that can distinguish sheep, cow and pig leather. A process that once took at least two days can now be completed in seconds.
AI is also being used in the energy sector. Maitian Energy, which produces solar inverters and energy-storage systems, uses large language models to track production efficiency, manage patents and monitor project progress. Since June 2026, the company has consumed tokens worth around 300,000 yuan.
The technology is also becoming more accessible to small businesses. Pan Linglong, owner of KH Ajie Collection Store, uses AI to place clothing images on virtual models, reducing the cost of traditional photo shoots and generating promotional content within minutes.
To help small and medium-sized companies access such tools more easily, the Southeast Token Operations Center opened in Wenzhou in July. It is the first officially designated token center in Zhejiang Province.
According to CCTV+, Wenzhou government data showed that token consumption in the city's manufacturing sector surged 2,261 percent quarter on quarter in the first quarter of 2026, reflecting the rapid spread of AI across traditional industries.
