Sci-tech Finance and Technological Innovation of AI Computing Power Enterprises: Based on the Perspective of Financial Regulation

As the new round of technological revolution continues to evolve, computing power is progressively emerging as the "new qualitative productive force" in the era of digital economy; AI computing power, being the core component of computing power, has consequently garnered extensive attention. This study examines the impact of sci-tech finance on the technological innovation of AI computing power enterprises, the mechanism of action, and the role of financial regulation, using data from Chinese A-share listed AI computing power enterprises from 2014 to 2022. The findings are as follows: Firstly, the development of sci-tech finance significantly enhances the technological innovation capacity of AI computing power enterprises. Secondly, the alleviation of financing constraints partially mediates this effect. Thirdly, overall financial regulation exerts a negative regulatory effect on the relationship between sci-tech finance and technological innovation; specifically, financial regulation in the eastern region has a negative regulatory role, whereas in the non-eastern regions, it exhibits a positive regulatory role. These research conclusions hold certain implications and reference value for enhancing the sci-tech finance system, fostering the development of the computing power industry, and reforming the regulatory system.