From open-source debate to on-the-ground practice: Hangzhou's ModelScope Community takes shape

As open-source AI becomes a key topic at Zhejiang's provincial "two sessions", Hangzhou is turning discussion into action through the ModelScope Community.

The ModelScope Developer Center, launched in November 2025 in Hangzhou's Zijingang Sci-Tech City, brings online open-source collaboration into a physical space.

Backed by more than 140,000 AI models and over 20 million users worldwide, the platform now offers co-working labs, demos, and startup support. In just a few weeks, over 60 developers have moved in.

Initiated by the China Computer Federation and Hangzhou-based tech giant Alibaba, ModelScope has grown into China's largest open-source AI model community. Lawmakers and experts say its online-offline-integrated ecosystem accelerates cross-disciplinary innovation, while low-cost access and shared facilities are attracting startups and AI learning communities.

City officials say Hangzhou will further integrate data services, application testing, and open-source training through ModelScope, reinforcing its push to build a globally competitive, open AI innovation hub.