How does China approach the use of artificial intelligence?

AI has become as integral to modern life as the air we breathe. From personalized entertainment experiences to groundbreaking scientific discoveries, AI is reshaping the future of humanity.

Imagine a world where intelligent robots assist us in every task, where learning becomes more fun than ever, and where our health is taken care of in the best possible way. That is the future that AI is bringing.

Currently, the speed of AI development in the world is extremely diverse. If countries in the world, especially the West, often pursue perfection, meticulously paying attention to every smallest detail before bringing products to market, then in other regions, the technology race is extremely fierce, with the goal of quickly dominating the market.

In contrast to the meticulousness and caution of Western countries, China has chosen a shorter but challenging path to AI development. With the spirit of "act first, think later", Chinese companies have quickly put AI into practical applications, creating novel products and services to meet the diverse needs of users. Despite many limitations, this bold approach has helped China become one of the world's leading AI powers.

China’s ambition to become the world’s leading AI power is gradually becoming a reality. Their remarkable success has created valuable lessons for countries around the world in the AI ​​technology race. The following lessons will help us better understand the factors that have contributed to China’s success.

1. Accept AI's imperfections

Chinese companies have not hesitated to jump into the AI ​​game, despite the technology being immature. They are willing to take risks to become pioneers, willing to experiment and learn from mistakes.

For example, in 2016, Haidilao, a famous Chinese restaurant brand, made a breakthrough when it introduced “Xiaomei” – a smart virtual assistant for table reservations. Although not yet a perfect AI application, Xiaomei has proven its ability to handle more than 50,000 table reservation calls per day with an accuracy of up to 90%, helping Haidilao significantly optimize its customer service process.

While not perfect, Xiaomei has demonstrated that AI, even in its early stages of development, can bring huge practical value to businesses. This opens up many potential applications of AI in other areas.

2. Prioritize applying AI to solve real-world problems

While other countries in the world, especially the West, often focus on developing advanced AI technologies, such as robotic surgery or complex predictive algorithms, China prioritizes applying AI to solve practical problems, directly serving life and production.

While these advances are exciting, they don’t always have an immediate impact. China, on the other hand, has made significant strides in applying AI to address more basic needs.

In China, some hospitals are using AI to assist with routine but critical tasks. For example, in April 2024, Wuhan Union Hospital introduced an AI-based patient care service that acts as a nurse to triage patients.

Patients are asked about their symptoms and medical history. The AI ​​then assesses the severity of the patient’s condition and prioritizes appointments based on urgency and available medical resources at the time. The results are then relayed to a physician who makes the final decision on what to do next.

This system has contributed significantly to optimizing the medical examination and treatment process, ensuring that patients who need priority will be examined first, thereby minimizing overcrowding and creating fairness in access to medical services.

Although not overly complex, the technology has proven remarkably effective in the breast clinic. In just one month, the technology has helped doctors spend more time consulting with more than 300 patients, especially those requiring emergency surgery.

3. Learn from your mistakes

China's path to AI development is not without its difficulties and failures. However, these stumbles have become valuable lessons, promoting continuous innovation and improvement.

The story of the Henn na Hotel in Nagasaki, Japan, the world’s first hotel staffed by robots, is a clear example of how the application of AI in practice does not always go smoothly. Despite many breakthroughs, this project has also exposed the limitations of technology when applied to customer service.

Accordingly, Churi - the room service robot at Henn na hotel, often misinterprets guests' requests, leading to confusion. One guest was reportedly woken up multiple times because a robot in his room mistook his snoring as a question.

In contrast, many Chinese hotels have taken a more measured approach, opting for simpler but highly effective robotic solutions. Delivery robots are now common in hotel chains across the country, and while not overly sophisticated, they are adept at autonomously navigating hallways and elevators, delivering food to guests.

By focusing on specific, high-impact problems, Chinese companies have successfully integrated AI in ways that minimize disruption and maximize usefulness.

The Chinese restaurant chain Haidilao is an example of how this approach can work. Following the success of its delivery robots, Haidilao introduced “smart restaurants” equipped with robotic arms and automated food delivery systems. While innovative, the technology struggled during rush hour and lacked human interaction, leaving many customers feeling deprived of the warmth of a traditional restaurant.

Instead of abandoning the project, Haidilao continued to tweak and refine its use of AI. Instead of adopting a fully automated restaurant model, they adopted a hybrid approach, which combines automation with human staff to enhance the dining experience.

The ability to adapt quickly to failure shows a willingness to change and turn difficulties into opportunities. Being proactive in turning around situations when faced with failure is an important factor for success.

Overall, China’s pragmatic approach to AI has helped it lead in many areas, even as it lags behind the West in technological sophistication. This is driven by a willingness to accept AI’s shortcomings and then adapt as needed.

In short, in the AI ​​race, Chinese companies have shown a pioneering spirit. Instead of waiting for perfect solutions, they have chosen a practical approach, applying AI in practice and continuously improving. Their flexibility and adaptability have helped them quickly exploit the economic value of AI and create breakthrough products and services.