Wuhan's AI Talent Incentive Policy Released!

In June 2025, Wuhan issued the "Wuhan’s Measures to Strongly Support the Development of Talents in the Field of Artificial Intelligence" (hereinafter referred to as the "Measures").

Artificial intelligence has become the main battlefield for future technological competition, and talent is the primary resource for the development of the AI industry. As one of China's three major intellectual hubs, Wuhan has tailored 7 policies for the development of AI talents. In addition to universal policies such as direct financial support, financial loans, entrepreneurial spaces, scenario support, and housing security, the measures present three major highlights: investing real money "early," large-scale enterprise engagement, and strengthening ecosystem aggregation.

The "Measures" propose to strongly support all types of talents in establishing AI enterprises in Wuhan, selecting no more than 50 start-up enterprises annually, and providing them with entrepreneurial funding ranging from ¥100,000 to ¥1 million based on their business development and technological innovation. Wuhan sends a strong signal: even if an AI start-up is still in its embryonic stage, as long as the talent team has innovation potential, it can receive tangible financial support.

A reporter from Changjiang Daily noted that the "Measures" specifically propose to organize approximately 1,000 researchers and graduate students specializing in AI and drawn from universities and research institutes each year. They will engage in  project collaborations and solve technical challenges within enterprises based in Wuhan. This initiative aims to cultivate and train talent through practical, hands-on experience, with rewards of up to ¥100,000 to those who demonstrate outstanding performance.

According to the reporter's observation, such a broad-coverage and normalized policy support mechanism is rarely explicitly mentioned in the policies of other cities. An official from the Wuhan Municipal Talent Work Bureau shared that Wuhan has 33 universities offering AI majors, ranking second in the country, surpassed only by Beijing. As an emerging field, artificial intelligence is inherently linked to young talents. Wuhan actively promotes a model where "enterprises pose challenges and  universities provide solutions," encouraging young AI talent who are agile in thinking and full of innovation to engage themselves to local industrial development, fully activating the innovation potential and creativity of young talents, and accelerating the transformation of scientific and educational talent advantages into innovation and development advantages.

The "Measures" also propose establishing dedicated AI tracks in key municipal-level innovation and entrepreneurship competitions such as the "Wuhan Cup," "Hero Cup," and "Wuchuangyuan." They also support universities, research institutes, new R&D institutions, and key enterprises based in Wuhan in hosting international academic conferences and major competitions in the field of artificial intelligence, with funding up to ¥2 million per event.

Measures by Wuhan Municipality to Strongly Support the Development of Talent in the Field of Artificial Intelligence 
(An Infographic Overview)

I. Strengthen efforts to attract and support of high-level talent in the field of artificial intelligence
Establish dedicated quotas for AI talent support within the Wuhan “Elite Talent Program.”

Individuals selected for specialized programs such as Strategic Science and Technology, Technology Industry Leading, Outstanding Engineers, and Outstanding Young Science and Technology Talent will be granted funding of ¥1 million, ¥500,000, ¥200,000, and ¥200,000 respectively.

Project funding of up to ¥100 million and ¥10 million, respectively, to top-tier scientists and leading talents on a case-by-case basis.

II. Support employers in recruiting talent in the field of artificial intelligence

Regularly publish a "Talent Recruitment List," providing no fewer than 10,000 high-salary and high-quality positions annually, and organize no fewer than 50 talent recruitment events in the field of artificial intelligence.

Support enterprises based in Wuhan in recruiting urgently needed talent and providing subsidies to enterprises with outstanding talent recruitment results up to ¥2 million per enterprise per year.

III. Strengthen the independent cultivation of talent in the field of artificial intelligence

Each year, researchers and graduate students specializing in AI-related majors from universities and research institutes are organized to engage in project collaborations and solve technical problems within enterprises based in Wuhan. Individuals demonstrating outstanding performance are awarded up to ¥100,000.

Support the joint establishment of "industry-education integration" talent training platforms by universities and enterprises to accelerate the cultivation of high-quality interdisciplinary talent. An award of up to ¥200,000 is provided to enterprises that demonstrate outstanding results in talent development.

IV. Support talent in the field of artificial intelligence to start businesses in Wuhan

Entrepreneurial talent can apply for startup guaranteed loans of up to ¥300,000 for individuals and ¥5 million for enterprises.

Strengthen financial service support and channel municipal and district-level talent funds toward AI talent and projects.

Establish a service platform for matching scenario applications, annually publish a list of at least 20 scenario requirements, organize more than 10 AI scenario supply-demand matching activities, and develop more than 10 typical application scenarios.

Eash year, no more than 50 start-up enterprises established within the past 4 years are selected to receive entrepreneurial funding ranging from ¥100,000 to ¥1 million.

Strengthen the construction of AI start-up incubation platforms and provide more low-cost office spaces.

V. Innovate mechanism for the utilization and evaluation of talent in the field of  artificial intelligence

Establish an AI track in key municipal-level innovation and entrepreneurship competitions such as the "Wuhan Cup," "Hero Cup," and "Wuchuangyuan" and providing funding of up to ¥1 million to winning talent teams.

Support enterprises based in Wuhan to launch "unveiling and leading" key technology research projects for global AI talent. No more than 50 projects that have achieved significant innovation breakthroughs will be selected every year, and the enterprises will be given funding ranging from ¥100,000 to ¥500,000.

Support AI enterprises in applying for and undergoing professional title assessments and vocational skill level certifications. In addition, establish “green channels” for processing these matters.

VI. Establish a platform for talent exchange and cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence

Vigorously promote the "Gathering of Talent from Chucai in Wuhan to Jointly Build a Strategic Pivot" initiative, organize events for Wuhan alumni entrepreneurs themed "Gathering in Jiangcheng, Building a Strategic Pivot and Winning the Future," and host talent salons and project roadshows such as "Young Scientists Joining Hands with Young Entrepreneurs” series.

Support universities, research institutes, new R&D institutions, and key enterprises based in Wuhan to host international academic conferences and major competitions in the field of artificial intelligence. Providing funds of up to ¥2 million per event to the organizers.

VII. Provide talent service guarantees in the field of artificial intelligence

Provide service conveniences to high-level AI talent through in a tiered and classified approach.

Eligible high-level talent renting designated talent housing will be granted a 3-year rent waiver, with a maximum exemption of ¥5,000 per person per month.

For top-tier talents and those with particularly outstanding contributions may be granted housing ownership rights for a certain amount of floor area or provided with a housing purchase subsidy.

Source: www.dxh.gov.cn

The English version is for reference only. If there are differences between the English version and the Chinese version, the Chinese version shall prevail.

https://www.dxh.gov.cn/XWZX/LKGYW/202506/t20250620_2598547.shtml