Chinese AI platforms ModelScope and MoArk challenge Hugging Face in domestic market

Chinese AI developers moved to domestic alternatives after regulators blocked U.S.-based Hugging Face in 2023, creating a market for homegrown platforms. Alibaba’s ModelScope, launched in 2022, now hosts more than 170,000 models and claims 250 million users, while OSChina’s MoArk, opened in 2023, offers over 20,000 models, according to a Rest of World article.

Both services mirror Hugging Face’s model testing and customization tools, providing free tiers and charging for extra compute. ModelScope has organized university hackathons and opened a Hangzhou coworking space to attract AI entrepreneurs, whereas MoArk is adapting models to run on Chinese chips to ensure compatibility with the domestic hardware ecosystem. Faster download speeds are a key draw for Chinese developers, though many still rely on VPNs to access Hugging Face’s broader catalog.

The shift occurs as Nvidia prepares to acquire Hugging Face for $12.9 billion, underscoring the global race for open-source AI dominance. Chinese regulators see domestic platforms as more secure, while U.S. policymakers consider bans on Chinese models, highlighting the geopolitical tension surrounding AI infrastructure.