Chinese businesses give away AI tokens with coffee, credit cards, and dumplings (restofworld.org)

Chinese businesses are increasingly integrating artificial intelligence tokens into everyday transactions, utilizing them to attract customers in innovative ways. Major banks and telecom companies are now offering free AI tokens as credit card rewards, mobile data-like packages, or promotional freebies at cafes and restaurants. For instance, a credit card introduced by Moonshot AI allows users to earn Kimi AI tokens on spending, while telecom operators are charging as little as $1.40 for millions of tokens per month, enabling consumers to access AI models similarly to mobile data services. This trend reflects a significant shift in how AI technology is commercialized in China, moving tokens from niche tech applications into mainstream consumer use. Daily token consumption has skyrocketed, climbing from 100 billion to an estimated 500 trillion in just a couple of years, highlighting the surging demand amid fierce competition. While Chinese models are priced significantly lower than their U.S. counterparts, this accessibility offers businesses a chance to explore new marketing strategies. As banks experiment with “token loans” to assess AI startups, the implications for the AI and financial sectors could reshape how digital assets are valued and utilized in emerging markets.