Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming China’s landscape, driving growth in smart manufacturing, green energy, and even space exploration. Industry experts at a key forum in Beijing highlighted AI’s role as a pivotal force in the nation’s high-quality development.
“Under the wave of the explosion of AI technology, the coming years will mark the beginning of large-scale AI application implementation,” said Kai-Fu Lee, CEO of 01.AI and chairman of Sinovation Ventures, at the Zhongguancun Forum Annual Conference in Beijing. “Large models have brought about a revolution in productivity, and their intelligence continues to improve with the emergence of new technologies, heralding an era characterized by large model applications.”
A major trend showcased at the event is the convergence of AI and new energy vehicles (NEVs), a strategic priority in China’s carbon neutrality roadmap. Li Auto’s intelligent driving demonstration captured significant attention within the industry.
The company’s all-scenario navigation-assisted driving feature enables vehicles to autonomously change lanes, overtake, navigate ramps, respond to traffic lights, and avoid obstacles. “The automotive industry has entered a transformative era of intelligence, evolving from mere transportation tools to AI terminals,” said Li Xiang, CEO of Li Auto.
At the exhibition, nearly 100 robots from 15 companies showcased how humanoid robots are advancing to boost productivity and expand real-world applications. A humanoid robot named “Adam” amazed visitors with an elegant dance, highlighting its advanced full-body motion control. “The most exciting era for humanoid robots, the era of productivity, is about to begin,” said Wang He, founder and CTO of Beijing Galbot Co., Ltd.
In China’s government work report, the nation vowed to effectively combine digital technologies with its manufacturing and market strengths. It aims to support the extensive application of large-scale AI models and develop new-generation intelligent terminals and smart manufacturing equipment, including intelligent connected NEVs and intelligent robots.
As China advances toward its dual carbon goals, fast-developing AI technologies contribute significantly with applications in sectors like new energy integration, energy production, and smart energy consumption. “AI is playing an important role in the construction of a new type of power system,” said Ren Jingdong, deputy director of the National Energy Administration.
Wang Chi, director of the National Space Science Center under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, noted that AI will play a critical role in future interplanetary exploration. “As spacecraft venture farther for solar exploration, particularly to Mars and Jupiter, control systems need to be more intelligent,” he said.
Deploying intelligent agents and robotic systems for preliminary exploration reduces risks in extreme scenarios, added Liu Hangxin, co-executive director at the Frontier Research Center at the Beijing Institute for General Artificial Intelligence.
