Editor's Note: As artificial intelligence technology integrates into the fabric of urban life, what transformative impact can it bring to everyday experiences? Xinhua News Agency recently spotlighted the Zheshui AI Smart Farmers' Market in Hengyang, vividly illustrating the city’s pioneering efforts in advancing digital urban transformation and enhancing citizens’ quality of life. This article highlights how technological innovation is infusing warmth, efficiency, and trust into traditional community markets.

In the evening hours, residents of Hengyang City, Hunan Province, many returning from work, flock to the Zheshui AI Smart Farmers' Market to purchase fresh produce for their evening meals.

Zhao Yunjie, a local resident living near the market, selected locally grown yellow gong peppers, edamame, and ginger. Vendor Zou Lingli swiftly packaged and weighed the items. "The total comes to 15.8 yuan," she announced.

From selection to payment via QR code scanning, the entire transaction was completed within one minute.

The AI-powered smart market features a large digital display screen that presents real-time information on vegetable prices, food safety inspection results, and sunlight exposure levels—enabling consumers to make informed choices and eliminating the need to compare prices across stalls. Each vendor booth is equipped with an intelligent scale that offers high-precision weighing, integrated payment processing, data analytics, and anti-fraud capabilities. Additionally, each stall includes a small digital screen displaying unit prices, business licenses, and health certificates. "All my operational information is transparently displayed," said vendor Zou Lingli. "We welcome public supervision."

Market management noted that the digital weighing systems deployed in this smart market are primarily supplied by the Hengyang Intelligent Weighing Instrument Measurement Industrial Park. In recent years, Hengyang has actively promoted the development of its intelligent metrology industry, fostering new economic growth while delivering tangible benefits and peace of mind to residents.

In the fresh meat section, citizen Yang Pang selected a piece of front leg pork. Upon placing it on the smart scale, the screen immediately displayed: weight 0.45 kg, unit price 22 yuan/kg, total 9.9 yuan.

All meat, aquatic products, and vegetables sold in the market come with traceable quality inspection reports. "Shopping here ensures not only a clean environment and accurate scales but also guaranteed food safety," Yang Pang remarked.

While numerous traditional farmers’ markets in Hengyang’s older districts continue to serve as essential hubs for daily necessities, they have increasingly faced challenges such as outdated infrastructure and inefficient management practices.

"Whenever it rained, the area in front of the stall would always get wet. You could easily be splashed with dirty water if you weren’t careful," recalled resident Chen Yingshu. She added that another persistent issue was short-weighting: even when complaints were raised, vendors often denied responsibility, leaving customers with no recourse.

These longstanding issues in traditional markets represent both a public concern and a critical focus area for urban renewal initiatives.

Li Hua, manager of the Zheshui AI Smart Farmers' Market, stated that the goal is to achieve comprehensive modernization of traditional markets through digital measurement technologies, ensuring these vital community spaces evolve alongside urban development. Today, the market has been completely revitalized: previously stained walls have been repainted in clean off-white tones; all stalls have been upgraded; anti-slip flooring has been installed; and a state-of-the-art ventilation system now operates overhead.

Beyond Zheshui, the Yilai Street AI Smart Agricultural Products Market also officially opened in May this year, marking another milestone in Hengyang’s smart market initiative. Both markets have undergone intelligent upgrades featuring smart scales that ensure pricing transparency and prevent fraudulent practices. Food safety rapid-testing stations have been established to safeguard consumer health, while centralized smart screens monitor transaction patterns and food safety indicators in real time.

For vendors, the smart transformation brings not only improved working conditions but also enhanced operational efficiency. "Since using the smart scale, my workload has significantly decreased," said vendor Zou Lingli. "Once I place the items on the scale, the type, weight, and price are instantly displayed—everything is clear and automatic."

From "dirty, disordered, and substandard" to "smart, aesthetically pleasing, and hygienic," the intelligent renovation of traditional markets in Hengyang has added a layer of security and comfort to the rhythm of urban life. According to Wang Fei, a staff member at Hengyang Postal Branch, the market upgrade is not merely a livelihood project but also a strategic business opportunity. The postal company has provided smart scales free of charge to vendors in two markets, facilitating digital transformation and building a bridge between public service and community needs—ensuring citizens reap greater benefits from technological progress.