GUOTAI HAITONG SECURITIES·2026-01-28 15:31Investment Rating - The report assigns an "Overweight" rating for the computer industry [1] Core Insights - The establishment of a closed-loop system for data elements, combined with the catalysis of AI, is expected to accelerate the release of data value and the blossoming of the industry in 2026 [2][32] - The demand for AI applications is creating a significant supply gap in the data market, with daily token consumption for AI applications in China skyrocketing from 100 billion at the beginning of 2024 to over 30 trillion by mid-2025, reflecting a growth of over 300 times in just a year and a half [37] Summary by Sections Investment Recommendations - The report emphasizes the importance of focusing on various segments of the data supply chain, including data supply, data trading, data application development, data services, data security, computing power, and network infrastructure [7][8] The Fifth Production Element - Data has been officially recognized as the "fifth production element" by the Chinese government, alongside labor, capital, land, and technology, highlighting its critical role in modern production activities [11] - The top-level design and policy framework for data elements have become increasingly refined, with a focus on activating the potential of data elements and establishing a sound market environment [13][14] Recent Policy Developments - Since 2024, the pace of policy implementation regarding data elements has accelerated, transitioning from top-level design to actionable policies, thereby establishing a solid institutional foundation for the industrialization of data elements [18] - Key policies include the promotion of public and enterprise data resource development, the establishment of a high-efficiency data circulation market, and the enhancement of data infrastructure [19][20][24] AI and Data Market - The report highlights the emergence of a trillion-dollar blue ocean market in the data industry, with the industry value surpassing 2 trillion yuan in 2023 and expected to maintain a growth rate of over 20% annually in the coming years [43][44] - The integration of AI applications is expected to further stimulate the demand for high-quality data, creating a reciprocal relationship that enhances both AI performance and data value [39] Future Policy Outlook - The year 2026 is designated as the "Year of Data Element Value Release," with a focus on improving data flow and resource allocation channels, thereby enhancing the overall market ecosystem [32][33]