Beijing — China's inclusive finance sector is undergoing a transformation, driven by digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI). At the International Forum for China Financial Inclusion 2025, industry leaders and academics explored how technological innovation is expanding access to financial services for individuals and small enterprises, while improving operational efficiency and financial health.

Inclusive finance in China has long aimed to provide affordable financial services to households, small and micro enterprises, and agricultural sectors. Yet practical adoption remains uneven. For example, only around 3% of small foreign-trade businesses in Yiwu hedge foreign exchange exposure, highlighting gaps between financial availability and actual usage.

Experts emphasize that closing this gap requires both innovation in financial products and improvements in accessibility. Financial institutions are increasingly leveraging AI and digital tools to make services more intuitive and scalable. Liu Xiaochun, vice-president of the Shanghai Finance Institute, noted that while interest in AI has surged, banks are taking a measured approach, focusing on real efficiency gains rather than hype.

Digital banks such as MYbank illustrate the practical impact of AI in inclusive finance. The bank serves small and micro enterprises with loans under 2 million yuan ($280,370) and has developed AI systems for credit approval and due diligence. According to Ma Xiaohang, general manager of MYbank's IT department, AI now automates tasks that previously took experts one to two months, completing industry research, risk analysis, and loan assessment within minutes. In roughly 90% of cases, AI-generated credit limits align with human expert assessments.

Similarly, the Bank of Jiangsu applies AI to identify low-risk, high-value small business clients, detect potential fraud, and streamline operations such as contract review. These applications demonstrate that AI can improve efficiency while maintaining rigorous risk oversight — a balance critical for inclusive finance.

Beyond access, institutions are increasingly emphasizing financial health — the quality of financial engagement and risk management for clients. Ant Group's AI tools help users manage credit and consumption more responsibly. Its “Bill Assistant” feature supports 270 million users, reducing default rates by 8% relative to the overall user base. These applications illustrate how AI can simultaneously expand access and promote better financial habits, benefiting both users and institutions.

Beijing Bank has adopted a holistic approach, integrating technology, client engagement, and ecosystem development. Its digital risk-control framework, combined with scenario-based financial services, has increased lending to inclusive small and micro enterprises to over 260 billion yuan. The bank’s strategy demonstrates that inclusive finance can evolve from merely providing access to fostering sustainable, healthy financial ecosystems.