China's artificial intelligence (AI) development is increasingly being recognized not just as a regional phenomenon but as a pivotal force driving global progress. With applications addressing universal challenges, experts from diverse fields are weighing in on what sets China's AI apart and what it means for the world, in an interview with GDToday during the 2025 Zhongguancun Forum Annual Conference.
The robot Kuavo made by Leju Robotics, based in Guangdong's Shenzhen, is exhibited at the 2025 Zhongguancun Forum Annual Conference.
Expertise in scaling up manufacturing solutions
Seeram Ramakrishna, a professor at Singapore's National University and foreign academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, emphasizes China's rapid innovation and collaborative potential.
His research projects focus on future batteries, energy storage, as well as a hydrogen economy. They are closely related to artificial intelligence, encompassing intelligent design in solid-state batteries, the integration of energy systems for hydrogen energy supply, and the utilization of AI and big data to enhance energy efficiency and reliability.
"We are looking for partners in China," he noted. "In China, it's faster to make the products to a specification, because there's a lot of expertise and also engineering skill."
Ramakrishna highlights China's open-source AI models, such as DeepSeek, as a game-changer. "Just a few months ago, we were all thinking about the charge of ChatGPT, but now we're seeing huge surprises from China," he said. "We see the opportunities, which provide a cost-effective way to scale up solutions configured for different markets."
Chinese-made robots perform together with a Chinese folk orchestra at the 2025 Zhongguancun Forum Annual Conference.
An alternative voice in embracing the future
Francesco Verso, an Italian science fiction writer and publisher, considers China's AI as a counterpoint to Western-dominated tech narratives.
He revealed that he had just finished writing a novel, co-authored with artificial intelligence over a four-month period of daily work.
"I am very hopeful because so far I've been using only Western applications. But as soon as I heard about DeepSeek, and I heard that it's open source, it's really something hopeful for me," he stated.
He believes that many technologies should be open-source and that knowledge is incremental, meaning that if it is blocked and closed under copyright, people cannot contribute to it.
"It's a counter-voice," Verso argued that China's approach offers a critical alternative. In his view, this is a different perspective on embracing the future, which involves adopting a method of innovation that is not solely dominated by the West. "We need an equilibrium. It should not just be one voice telling us what the future is like."
Anthropomorphic robots capable of human-robot dialogue.
Calling for more global collaboration
Damian Pattinson, executive director of the Center for Open Science of America, underscores China's leadership in AI.
He expressed that AI is going to become more and more important, and that a better understanding of AI, as well as understanding the processes involved in building AI models, is very important.
"China is already a leader in these areas, and it's very encouraging to see the work that is already happening here."
Pattinson stressed the need for further collaboration. "We hope that Chinese researchers should share their findings early and openly," he urged, adding that it would help accelerate global progress and ensure technology benefits everyone.
Reporter | Chen Jinxia
Video, photo & poster | Guo Hongda
Editor | Hu Nan, James, Shen He
