The 2025 Insight Report by 36Kr Research Institute highlights the global expansion challenges faced by Chinese AI application companies, identifying three major structural barriers: insufficient global computing infrastructure, high costs and lengthy cross-border transaction cycles, and limited global marketing channels.

Based on a survey of 700 Chinese AI companies, the report serves as a practical guide, offering actionable insights on computing infrastructure, market penetration strategies, and monetization solutions to help these firms navigate the complexities of global expansion.

Central to the report's findings is the critical importance of robust computing infrastructure, which directly influences model training efficiency, inference speed, and overall service coverage, making it essential for successful global operations.

Notably, over 70% of surveyed AI companies allocate more than 10% of their R&D budgets to computing infrastructure, underscoring its vital role in AI application growth and the increasing demand for improved efficiency and low latency.

To address their global expansion needs, 87% of companies are turning to GPU cloud services, which are favored for their rapid deployment capabilities and cost efficiency.

The report emphasizes the necessity of scenario-based customization of computing solutions, as demands vary across seven high-growth sectors, including education, gaming, and emotional AI, each requiring tailored infrastructure.

In terms of marketing strategies, AI companies are increasingly relying on social media operations, channel-led market access, and localized content marketing to acquire new users, despite facing significant operational costs and challenges in audience segmentation.

However, cross-border payment challenges remain a significant hurdle, with complex compliance requirements and limited multi-currency capabilities prompting companies to seek streamlined compliance management and localized payment solutions.

To optimize monetization, firms must navigate varying regulations and enhance cross-border payment systems, which are crucial for improving operational efficiency and user experience.

AI technologies are being leveraged to enhance marketing effectiveness, with many companies expecting improvements in sentiment monitoring and targeted ad placements through AI-driven strategies.

The report outlines a strategic focus on scenario-specific computing solutions tailored to diverse industry needs, which is essential for maintaining competitiveness in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

Given the rapid evolution of AI technology, the insights provided in the report are crucial for decision-making in the next couple of years, emphasizing the need for sustainable and efficient computing infrastructure as a foundation for global scalability.