Exploring AI Innovations in China: A Collaborative Future for Domestic and Foreign Enterprises

How can digital intelligence empower industrial upgrades? How does “AI+” open new spaces for industrial development? In China, a rising innovation hub, a vibrant picture unfolds as domestic and foreign enterprises accelerate the application of artificial intelligence across various scenarios, integrating it into the future industrial landscape.

At Siemens’ first technology conference recently held in Beijing, the wave of AI and industrial synergy surged. From industrial AI and digital twins to embodied intelligence, each technology is tangible and impactful. Entering the conference’s technology exhibition area, attendees experienced an immersive glimpse into the future of industry: at a fun claw machine, participants enjoyed the game while learning in real-time how Siemens’ intelligent monitoring assistant, OWL, uses AI algorithms to identify targets, plan paths, and execute tasks precisely.

In Shouguang City, known as the “Vegetable Capital” of Shandong, the role of AI in greenhouses has become increasingly prominent. AI algorithms act as “smart gardening assistants,” significantly enhancing labor productivity. With the addition of sensors for temperature, light, water, and fertilizer, planting data can be transmitted to screens in real-time. Local farmer Yin Jinhua noted that manual control of equipment is no longer necessary; he can now manage the greenhouse remotely using his smartphone.

What sparks when AI algorithms meet seed research and development? Cheng Lin, director of the Shouguang Vegetable Seed Industry Group’s R&D center, leads a team to establish and improve an AI breeding acceleration hub, utilizing a big data platform combined with AI for predictive breeding. She explained that with sufficient data, it is possible not only to predict gene functions and market preferences but also to anticipate potential diseases and achieve proactive prevention.

AI’s application is not limited to agriculture; its implementation in transportation is also gaining momentum. At the Yutong Bus Company in Zhengzhou, a cute and compact intelligent connected pure electric bus named “Xiao Yu” passed by the reporter. Without a steering wheel or manual operation, “Xiao Yu” can autonomously change lanes, avoid obstacles, park, and charge. Currently, “Xiao Yu” is in mass operation in cities like Zhengzhou, Guangzhou, Chongqing, and Beijing.

Wang Kun, deputy general manager of Yutong’s Shenlan Power, stated that besides “Xiao Yu,” Yutong’s management platform “Anruitong” is also leveraging AI to enhance operational efficiency. This vehicle networking system assists fleets in intelligent operational management, monitoring vehicle travel trajectories, energy consumption data, and dangerous driving behaviors, while automatically generating daily reports to support efficient fleet operations.

At the intelligent dispatch center of the Zhoukou Port Company under the Henan Port and Shipping Group, every vehicle entry and exit, cargo storage, and ship docking relies on the “brain” of the dispatch center for intelligent decision-making. Previously, unloading a container required at least 3 to 5 people working together; now, one operator can manage “remote loading” by watching a screen and using two small joysticks. The reporter also observed a remote-controlled container truck’s cockpit, where operators can control the truck from a distance.

These scenes of domestic and foreign enterprises accelerating the integration of AI into reality are supported by China’s vast market space and open innovation ecosystem. From the State Council’s issuance of opinions on deeply implementing the “AI+” initiative to the 14th Five-Year Plan proposing comprehensive advancement of digital intelligence technology empowerment, AI is becoming a “key variable” driving high-quality economic development in China.

By 2025, China’s core AI industry scale is expected to exceed 1.2 trillion yuan, with the number of enterprises surpassing 6,200. The download volume of open-source large models launched by Chinese companies ranks first globally, significantly lowering the barriers to AI usage. By the end of last year, the application rate of AI technologies among large-scale manufacturing enterprises in China exceeded 30%, greatly enhancing the quality and efficiency of design, manufacturing, and quality inspection processes.

As Siemens’ chairman, Roland Busch, stated, China is not only a key market but also one of the world’s important innovation centers for AI. Siemens chose to hold its first technology conference in China because many innovations first occur there, making it often the launch and implementation market for new technologies.

An open and innovative China is providing a collaborative and win-win ecosystem for domestic and foreign enterprises to co-create a new picture of “AI+,” continuously adding new momentum to its economic development and expanding new spaces for global economic growth.