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Narrowing or broadening: Artificial intelligence pilot zones policy and enterprise innovation gap

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  • Pan, Huaihong
  • Xu, Zhi
  • Huang, Zhihong
  • Zheng, Guanbin

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the enterprise innovation ecosystem. Drawing on policy practices from China’s National New Generation AI Innovation Development Pilot Zones Policy (AIPZP) and balanced panel data from 550 listed enterprises spanning 2008 to 2023, we construct a Difference-in-Differences (DID) model to examine AIPZP’s impact on enterprise innovation gap. We find that: (1) AIPZP significantly widens the innovation gap among enterprises. (2) The stronger complementary effect of AIPZP on enterprises with advantages in innovation resources has led to widening innovation gaps between enterprises. (3) The broadening innovation gap among enterprises driven by AIPZP is currently limited to the innovation domains within their original industries and the overall volume of innovation. There remains no evidence that AIPZP accelerates the formation of disparities in innovation boundaries or innovation quality across industries. Our research findings enrich the discourse on the relationship between AIPZP and enterprise innovation, revealing a potential matthew effect in the field of innovation. This provides policymakers with insights for more rational deployment and regulation of AI.

Suggested Citation

  • Pan, Huaihong & Xu, Zhi & Huang, Zhihong & Zheng, Guanbin, 2026. "Narrowing or broadening: Artificial intelligence pilot zones policy and enterprise innovation gap," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:teinso:v:87:y:2026:i:c:s0160791x26001569
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2026.103367
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