The Green Effect of Digital Intelligence in Chinese Cities: An Empirical Investigation Based on Big Data and Machine Learning Methods

Chao Gao and Jiayu Fang ()
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Chao Gao: School of Economics and Management, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Changsha 410076, China
Jiayu Fang: School of Economics and Trade, Hunan University, Changsha 410079, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-20

Abstract: In the digital economy era, digitalization and intelligent technologies have profoundly influenced regional green development. This study uses data from 277 prefecture-level and above cities in China spanning the years 2011 to 2022 and employs a two-way fixed effects model along with machine learning techniques to explore the effect of digital intelligence on regional green development. We find that digital intelligence primarily drives regional green development. Positive impacts show a steady upward trend from 2011 to 2022 and predominate in eastern regions, large cities, and non-resource-dependent cities, while adverse effects are more prevalent in small and resource-dependent cities. Effect magnitude scales with green development levels, exhibiting monotonic amplification. Mechanism tests indicate that digital intelligence improves regional green development by promoting green technological innovation, advancing the industrial structure, and strengthening environmental protection.

Keywords: digital intelligence; regional green development; green technological innovation; industrial structure advancement; environmental protection effect (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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