Hainan Province is making waves in the tech world with the launch of an underwater intelligent computing center, marking a significant step toward sustainable innovation. On February 18, a newly upgraded data module was placed on the seafloor in Lingshui, integrating with existing computing equipment to form an underwater AI cluster.
The module, measuring 18 meters in length and 3.6 meters in diameter, houses powerful servers capable of performing calculations in one second that would take an ordinary computer an entire year. This cutting-edge facility utilizes seawater as a natural cooling source, dramatically reducing land, freshwater, and electricity usage.
The operator of the cluster has already signed contracts with about 10 companies. The facility is set to become a hub for large-scale AI model training, industrial simulations, game development, and marine scientific research.
Hainan, known for hosting the annual Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), is actively promoting AI development. Local institutions are exploring collaborations with domestic AI innovators, experimenting with large language models in specialized fields like marine research and tropical medicine. This year’s BFA will spotlight “Strengthening AI Application and Governance for Innovation-Driven Development” as one of its major topics.
Recent breakthroughs highlight Hainan’s accelerating AI deployment. In June 2023, the provincial power grid launched China’s first island-wide AI energy management system, achieving a 15% peak load reduction through machine learning-optimized power distribution. At the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center, an AI-powered rocket trajectory prediction system has improved launch window accuracy by 40%, boosting space mission efficiency. Additionally, the Boao Lecheng International Medical Zone utilizes AI diagnostic platforms that have processed over 12,000 medical imaging analyses since 2023, achieving a 94% concordance rate with expert radiologists.
Hainan’s advancements reflect a strategic blend of ecological sustainability, technological ambition, and public welfare. By leveraging its tropical marine environment for green computing and aligning AI applications with national priorities like aerospace and healthcare, the province is carving a unique path in China’s tech landscape.
As global attention turns to the upcoming BFA, scheduled to be held in Boao from March 25 to 28, Hainan is poised to showcase how island economies can harness AI not just for industrial growth but also as a force for scientific discovery and international collaboration.
