On December 11, Ant Digital Technologies CEO Zhao Wenbiao emphasized at an ecosystem partners conference, "The true value of AI lies not just in technological advancement but in its ability to address real-world industry challenges." This statement anchors a pragmatic direction for the booming AI sector.

Over the past year, Ant Digital has prioritized "technology implementation," driving AI from labs into practical business scenarios. Focusing on finance, energy, transportation, and manufacturing, the company collaborated with nearly 20 leading partners to release over 100 AI agent solutions. Financial institutions such as Bank of Ningbo, Bank of Shanghai, New China Life Insurance, Fubon Bank, and Kunshan Rural Commercial Bank are building proprietary "AI brains" using Ant Digital’s self-developed financial reasoning model. Currently, Ant Digital serves 100% of China’s state-owned joint-stock banks, over 60% of regional commercial banks, and hundreds of financial institutions.

Ant Digital is now scaling its proven AI solutions globally. In October, it joined the Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s generative AI sandbox project, providing AI agent services and security products to enhance operational efficiency, user experience, and risk management for Hong Kong banks. The company already serves over 100 overseas financial institutions, including Nanyang Commercial Bank and Standard Chartered Bank.

By 2025, Ant Digital has established deep collaborations with 300 partners, collectively serving more than 13,000 end clients. Based on annual practices and partner feedback, the company upgraded its partner program at the conference, unveiling the enhanced "Starlight Initiative." This initiative strengthens partner capabilities across four dimensions—technology empowerment, operational support, business opportunity sharing, and financial assistance—to drive ecosystem-wide advancement.