The Impact of Urban Digital Intelligence Transformation on Corporate Carbon Performance: Evidence from China

In response to urban digital intelligence transformation (DIT) and the rising global emphasis on corporate carbon performance (CP), this study leverages the “National New-Generation AI Innovation Development Pilot Zones” (NAIPZs) as a quasi-natural experiment. Utilizing an unbalanced panel of A-share listed firms from China’s Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges between 2010 and 2022, this study employs a multi-period Difference-in-Differences (DID) model combined with propensity score matching (PSM-DID) to examine how urban DIT affects corporate CP and its underlying mechanisms. The results indicate that the policy significantly enhances corporate CP, with robustness confirmed through parallel trend, placebo, and PSM-DID tests. Heterogeneity analysis shows stronger effects for non-state-owned enterprises, high-pollution industries, and large enterprises. Mechanism analysis reveals that green technological innovation and R&D expenditure are key drivers of improved CP. The study concludes with policy suggestions including tailored regulation, the development of innovation platforms, strengthened R&D support, and the implementation of monitoring systems to better harness AI technologies for improving corporate carbon performance.