Tech hub Hangzhou steps up efforts to lure global AI talent

Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province and home to tech titan Alibaba Group, is making efforts to become China's "first city" for artificial intelligence (AI) innovation and development.

Recognizing that AI development needs high-level and innovative talent more than ever, the city hosted the 2026 Hangzhou International Human Resources Exchange and Cooperation Conference on Sept 28 to attract AI talent from around the world.

On the opening day, the "AI+" industry negotiation and recruitment matchmaking session set up three special zones for overseas talent project-matching and negotiation, high-level talent project roadshows, and special recruitment. A total of 180 booths were arranged for overseas project negotiations, while 360 employers offered over 7,000 positions.

"This conference is not only a concentrated display of Hangzhou's AI industry strength, but also an invitation for global integration of industry and talent," the organizing committee said, noting that the competition in AI ultimately boils down to a competition for talent, and the level of talent reserves directly determines the height and potential of industrial development.

The organizing committee said Hangzhou is focusing on AI as the main line, connecting talent supply, project reserves, and industrial demand, and allowing global intellectual resources to take root in the local industries.

Both enterprises and research institutions were eager to acquire more high-caliber talent.

Hangzhou-based nano core chip firm NCC sent its recruitment manager to the site, who said that the company highly needs professionals working in chip design and algorithm design, and it looks forward to receiving more high-level talent from home and abroad through the conference.

"We welcome talent with specific project experiences," said Liu Qing, recruitment manager of Hangzhou Innovation Research Institute at Beihang University, adding that the research institute has abundant resources and scenarios for talent to conduct basic scientific research, and to have practical opportunities in transforming their achievements into real scenarios.