Shanghai Targets 200 Open-Source Projects in Bid to Boost AI and Chip Independence

Key Highlights

• Shanghai plans to foster 200+ open-source projects and 3 million developers by 2027.
• The push focuses on AI models, intelligent chips, and high-end software.
• The move aligns with China’s strategy to reduce reliance on US technology amid the AI race.

Shanghai has unveiled an ambitious plan to build one of the world’s most influential open-source ecosystems, positioning the city at the forefront of China’s technology self-reliance push amid intensifying competition with the United States in artificial intelligence.

Shanghai Unveils Ambitious Open-Source Roadmap

Under an action plan released by the Shanghai municipal government on Thursday, the city aims to nurture more than 200 high-quality open-source projects over the next two years. By 2027, it is expected that one to two internationally influential open-source communities, alongside 100 technology-focused companies, will be operating in the sector.

The total number of developers involved in Shanghai’s open-source ecosystem is projected to exceed three million.

AI, Chips, and High-End Software in Focus

According to the action plan, frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence, intelligent chip design, and advanced software systems will form the backbone of Shanghai’s open-source drive. The city also plans to launch China’s first open-source platform aimed specifically at overseas markets next year, signaling Beijing’s intent to expand its technological footprint beyond domestic borders.

The initiative is being spearheaded by several municipal agencies, led by the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization, which oversees technology and industrial development in the city.

Officials described the strategy as an effort to establish Shanghai as a “nationally competitive source and development hub for open-source innovation,” as reported by SCMP.

Anchoring China’s Tech Self-Sufficiency Push

Shanghai’s move reflects a broader national strategy as China doubles down on open-source technologies to reduce dependence on US firms amid ongoing trade and technology restrictions.

Furthermore, the city already hosts several major AI players, including MiniMax and SenseTime, as well as domestic chipmakers such as Biren Technology and Enflame, giving it a strong foundation to scale innovation quickly.

Authorities said Shanghai would strengthen open-source platforms by providing access to pre-trained AI models, training datasets, development tools, and deployment infrastructure, supporting the entire AI lifecycle from model training to commercial operation.

Open-Source AI Gains Global Ground

China’s open-source approach has already yielded global traction. Start-ups such as DeepSeek, along with tech giant Alibaba, have helped Chinese AI models gain widespread adoption. Open-source models allow developers to modify, scale, and improve systems more easily, offering cost and efficiency advantages, particularly in regions with limited computing resources.

A recent Stanford University report noted that Chinese open-source AI models may have caught up with or, in some cases, surpassed US competitors in both capability and adoption. The report highlighted the appeal of “good enough” models that prioritise openness, reproducibility, and efficiency.

RISC-V Chips Seen as Strategic Priority

Beyond software, Shanghai’s roadmap also includes accelerating the adoption of RISC-V chip architecture, an open-source processor design widely viewed as a key pathway to China’s semiconductor self-sufficiency. The city plans to develop full RISC-V toolchains, including compilers, simulators, and operating system adaptation tools, to support large-scale commercial deployment.

RISC-V’s open nature allows developers to design and modify processors without licensing fees, making it a critical component of China’s efforts to counter US-led restrictions on advanced chip technologies.

Shanghai’s Global Ambitions

Looking ahead, Shanghai’s open-source push positions the city as a serious global contender alongside hubs such as Silicon Valley and Europe’s leading AI clusters, particularly in cost-efficient and scalable innovation.

By combining state-backed infrastructure, deep developer pools, and open standards, Shanghai could shape how emerging markets adopt AI and chip technologies, potentially redefining global innovation pathways as geopolitical fragmentation reshapes the tech landscape.