Against the backdrop of accelerating the development of China’s independent knowledge system, economics, as a real-world-oriented social science, urgently needs to address the transformations brought by intelligent technologies and foster original theoretical paradigms rooted in China’s practical experience. In March 2025, Professor Yilei Shao, the Founding Dean of Shanghai AI-Finance School (SAIFS), East China Normal University, first proposed Silicon-Based Economics as an innovative economic paradigm.
Different from traditional economics built upon carbon-based logic featuring labor and capital, Silicon-Based Economics takes three silicon-based elements, namely algorithms, computing power and data, as its core. It defines artificial intelligence, large models, computing power, data and chips as major means of production and key driving forces, reinterpreting economic operation mechanisms and social production relations amid the intelligence age.
As an emerging discipline, academic resources concerning Silicon-Based Economics, such as relevant papers, think tank achievements and industrial reports, are scattered. Researchers need to spend excessive time and cost acquiring literature and data. To solve this problem, the SAIFS team completed months of research and development and rolled out theSilicon Economistresearch infrastructure platform, which goes online officially today.
As a research service platform tailored to Silicon-Based Economics, Silicon Economist collects key resources including frontier news of the silicon-based economy, retrievable academic literature and high-quality datasets. It builds an integrated academic entry and knowledge hub. The platform aims to cut researchers’ cost of information access, raise the efficiency of research collaboration, and provide solid infrastructure support for disciplinary construction of Silicon-Based Economics and the development of its academic community.
🔗Official website of the platform: https://siliconeconomist.thesaifs.cn/
Platform Introduction
I. Homepage
Platform Homepage Screenshot
Upon entering the homepage, the top navigation bar consists of three core modules: Silicon-Based Index, Academic Insights, and Data Plaza. Detailed information is listed below.
II. Silicon-Based Index Module: New Concepts and Paradigms for Economic Research
Silicon-Based Index Module Screenshot
This module releases and compiles various indexes related to the silicon-based economy and its associated fields. At present, the platform has launched core datasets including the Global AI Financial Center Index, national digital economy statistics, and the national scale of core artificial intelligence industries. Key silicon-based indicators such as computing power, data volume and factor contribution ratio are still under preparation. The SAIFS team is speeding up data collection and index compilation, with gradual updates and releases scheduled for the platform.
III. Academic Insights Module: Opening Access Channels to Top Domestic and International Journal Papers
Screenshot of International Academic Research Subsection
Both subsections are equipped with functional sections including subject navigation, paper repository and scholar directory. Users can search archived papers by research topics via subject navigation; retrieve documents through multiple filters such as publication source, release year, research theme and keywords in the paper repository; or look up all collected publications authored by specific scholars in the scholar directory.
Screenshot of Paper Repository within International Papers Subsection
The paper repository stores all literature included on the platform and supports multi-dimensional filtering for targeted document retrieval. The international paper library sorts papers into 24 distinct research themes for organized management.
Screenshot of Author Relationship Network in the Scholar Directory
The Scholar Directory contains information on more than 10,000 authors. By clicking on a specific scholar’s name, users can access their academic collaboration network, which clearly displays direct collaborators, indirect collaborators, their closest research partners and affiliated institutions.
Screenshot of Chinese Academic Research Section
The Chinese literature repository mainly collects papers from top domestic economic journals includingEconomic Research JournalandChina Industrial Economics. All resources are categorized under 39 research themes.
IV. Data Plaza Module: Establishing a High-quality Data Service System
Screenshot of Data Plaza Module
Positioned as an aggregated hub for high-quality data and supporting services, the Data Plaza features core functions for data display and access. Given the complexity and compliance requirements governing data factor transactions, functions and services related to data transmission and trading are temporarily unavailable. The SAIFS team is preparing high-value data products and will gradually enrich the plaza’s capabilities. We look forward to your attention.
As the platform is newly launched, imperfections inevitably exist. Users are welcome to submit suggestions during usage. The team will adopt feedback for timely upgrades, continuously improve service quality, and deliver better, more efficient information and data support for researchers focusing on the silicon-based economy.
Your attention and participation are highly appreciated!
Source：SAIFS,ECNU
