The resurgence of the global economy has been challenging, facing numerous hurdles and complicated by a plethora of global issuesIn this context, the digital economy has emerged as a significant catalyst for transformation and development across nations, offering robust support for global economic growthWith technological advancements such as artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing, the Internet of Things, and blockchain continuously evolving, these digital technologies have become fundamental drivers of societal progress while altering how we produce and live.

Recently, major economies have focused on refining and upgrading their comprehensive strategies for the digital economyBy rolling out detailed plans, strategies, and blueprints, these nations are collectively spurring the vigorous development of the digital economy.

A recent report indicates that global policies for the digital technology industry are predominantly centered on breakthroughs in technology and integrative development, with a keen focus on innovative upgrades for the futureThe findings suggest two main characteristics of national strategies in the digital economy: first, a rapid acceleration in the layout of key sectors; second, an increase in comprehensive support efforts.

This drive towards digitalization has positioned digital assets and trade as pivotal elements in the quest for economic recoveryAccording to the report, digital capital—consisting of various resources utilized to develop new digital services and products—plays a crucial role in this contextNations such as the United States, China, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Japan represent some of the largest contributors to the global digital economy, characterized by their high levels of digital capital and substantial economic contributionsThe U.S. is poised for further growth, driven by investments in artificial intelligence and the return of advanced manufacturing, thereby strengthening its digital capital contributions

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Meanwhile, European nations, capitalizing on their traditional manufacturing prowess, exhibit a high degree of digital capital, whereas in Asian countries like Japan and China, non-digital capital continues to hold sway.

The report highlights that the contribution ratio of non-digital to digital capital has been declining in recent years in both the U.S. and Germany, suggesting a shift towards more digital capital in driving economic performanceFor instance, the ratio of non-digital capital to digital capital in the U.S. stood at 1.27 in 2023, with Germany following closely with a ratio of 4.05, indicative of the increasing significance of digital resources.

Furthermore, trade in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) products is accelerating, with active participation from 142 countries that have reported their trade figures for 2023. The total export trade value of ICT products reached a staggering $2.4 trillion, accounting for 11.1% of global exportsAlthough there was a slight decline from the previous year, there has been a notable increase compared to a decade ago, particularly in electronics such as integrated circuits and mobile phones, which constitute over 30% of ICT exports.

In France, a remarkable shift is taking place as President Emmanuel Macron recently announced a colossal investment of €109 billion into the AI sector over the coming years, rivaling the U.S. "Gateway to the Stars" initiativeThis project, driven by collaboration between entities like OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle, aims to devote $500 billion over the next four years towards building data centers to support AI advancement.

Macron emphasized the unprecedented nature of this technological revolution, revealing plans to boost the number of trained young professionals in AI from 40,000 to 100,000. As digital application scenarios expand, the explosion of technologies like AIGC and large models underscores the burgeoning demand for computing power, placing data centers at the core of this high-performance computing trend.

The report notes a global trend toward the consolidation of data centers, emphasizing that large-scale centers will remain a focal area of development

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While the number of data centers globally has witnessed a continuous decline since 2018, decreasing from over 460,000 to approximately 420,000 by 2023, larger data centers have seen a riseProjections suggest that, from 2023 to 2027, the number of colossal data centers will increase from 1,760 to around 1,955.

As technological needs diversify with the continuous evolution of digital capabilities, the demand for computing power is expected to escalate even furtherThe report forecasts that over the next six years, the capacity of newly established ultra-large-scale data centers will outstrip current standards by more than twofold, with an anticipated total of over 1,000 such centers by early 2024.

The integration of various technologies—including IT (Information Technology), CT (Communication Technology), OT (Operational Technology), and DT (Data Technology)—has become the norm, resulting in innovative business models and driving significant transformation in traditional industriesThis cross-domain fusion not only expedites the application of new technologies but also fosters a plethora of innovative solutions and services that invigorate the global economy.

Moreover, there has been a meteoric rise in global spending on digital transformation, which exceeded $2.1 trillion in 2023, surpassing 52% of overall global investmentProjections indicate that by 2028, this figure could reach $4.4 trillion, establishing digital transformation as a central force driving global economic evolution.

Breaking down the contributors to this wave, sectors focused on efficiency improvements and service optimizations stand out as pivotal areas for enterprise investments in digitalizationThe financial sector, for instance, is expected to witness an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.5% over five years, particularly through data-intensive scenarios that leverage artificial intelligence and data analyticsAdditionally, discrete manufacturing is expected to lead the way in global digital transformation expenditures, projected to approach $5 trillion by 2024, with substantial upticks in spending approaching $700 billion by 2027. This sector sees rising demand for comprehensive participation experiences and sustainable development.

In tandem with these developments, a heightened focus on data privacy and security is prompting countries to intensify their technological research and development efforts

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