The Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in South China has emerged as a pivotal hub for artificial intelligence (AI) innovation, leveraging its strategic geographical position to foster deeper collaboration between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Spearheading this transformation is the ‘AI Super League,’ an initiative launched in July by the Guangxi regional government under the banner ‘AI for All: China-ASEAN.’ What began as a technology contest has rapidly evolved into a comprehensive platform for cross-border cooperation, attracting over 3,300 teams from China’s 31 provincial-level regions and ASEAN member states. Among these, 329 teams from ASEAN are competing in diverse categories, including cross-border e-commerce, cultural tourism, automotive innovation, and modern agriculture. Lu Xinning, a senior official of the Guangxi government, emphasized that the league transcends a mere competition, fostering an innovation community that bridges Guangxi, China, and ASEAN. This initiative marks a significant shift in China-ASEAN cooperation from traditional sectors to the digital realm, promoting inclusive AI development. The event, themed ‘AI Guangxi, AI China, AI ASEAN,’ runs from July to November and has attracted top enterprises, research teams, university students, and individual developers. It actively encourages joint teams between Chinese and ASEAN companies, facilitating industrial integration and exploring AI applications tailored to ASEAN markets. By supporting AI enterprises targeting ASEAN and promoting the integration of AI with the real economy, the league underscores Guangxi’s role as a regional AI powerhouse.