Awardees of the 2026 Forbes China AI Tech Enterprise Top 50 pose for photos in Shenzhen on July 10, 2026.
The 2026 Forbes China AI Tech Summit & 2026 Forbes China AI Tech Enterprise Top 50 Selection Award Ceremony kicked off in Shenzhen on July 10, spotlighting the rise of Chinese AI firms.
Themed "New Era of Intelligent Origins: A Paradigm Shift," the summit brought together top global scholars, industry giants, and innovative leaders to examine the underlying logic of technological transformation and chart a new course for the globalization of China's AI sector.
Chinese AI firms go global
International Data Corporation forecasts that the global AI market will exceed US$500 billion by 2026. As a core engine of global AI development, China is building a globally competitive AI innovation ecosystem driven by three key forces: policy guidance, technological breakthroughs, and industrial integration.
At a booth outside the venue, Jia Guoqiang, Chairman of Fubao Robot, introduced "Xiao Bao," a popular smart health and wellness companion robot designed for home and community use. The robot is equipped with devices that monitor blood glucose, blood oxygen, blood pressure, heart rate, electrocardiogram readings, and uric acid levels.
Jia told South that the robot connects to online medical services, allowing users to consult a doctor around the clock. It also integrates with advanced medical AI models, enabling users to ask health-related questions at any time. The robot also offers emotional companionship. Users can chat with it, and it becomes increasingly familiar with them over time.
"Global demand for wellness solutions is rising, creating a favorable market environment for us," Jia said. He cited the story of Laz Angelovski, CEO and co-founder of Melbourne-based FaciTech and a client from Australia, as an example.
Laz Angelovski stands in front of the billboard for the 2026 Forbes China AI Tech Enterprise Top 50 in Shenzhen on July 10, 2026.
They first met at the Canton Fair last October. After using the robot for a while, Angelovski later contacted the company and became its distributor in Australia and New Zealand, signing a major contract with Fubao Robot.
Having traveled from Australia to attend the summit, Angelovski told South that FaciTech focuses on people living in isolated and remote communities where there are no doctors.
"With the robot, which offers AI technology, you can effectively have a doctor service or triage in a remote community and save thousands of people by providing quick advice, instant test results, and diagnoses," he added.
After speaking with influential and innovative speakers, Angelovski gained a deeper understanding of China's AI market growth and the global footprint it is building.
"We're assisting Fubao in growing its global network, but we are also ambassadors for Chinese AI technologies with a large network across the world," he noted.
Flags for the 2026 Forbes China AI Tech Enterprise Top 50 in Shenzhen on July 10, 2026.
AI firms in the GBA stand out
As the host city of this year's Forbes China AI Tech Summit, Shenzhen accounted for 12 of the selected enterprises, spanning sectors such as AI marketing, intelligent equipment manufacturing, and embodied AI.
AI enterprises in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) stood out in the selection, with 16 firms included in the main and sub-category lists. Guangzhou had three selected companies, while Dongguan had one.
Guangzhou-based PCI Technology is redefining transportation infrastructure. The company has launched a large-scale AI model tailored to the transportation industry. Its smart metro innovations have been deployed across 48 cities worldwide, covering more than 150 lines and 3,500 stations.
As a benchmark firm transitioning from traditional industrial robotics to embodied AI, Dongguan-based Topstar defines its robotic products based on real-world industrial scenarios, driving the practical application of embodied AI in the physical world.
According to the AIR Pearl River Index Report (2025), Guangdong Province had more than 3,700 AI and robotics enterprises as of November 2025, including more than 150 listed firms in the field. Guangzhou and Shenzhen account for 84% of the province's AI firms and 65% of its robotics companies.
Reporter | Zhang Ruijun
Photo | Zhang Ruijun
