China and the Global AI Race

The world is entering a new chapter, one where artificial intelligence isn’t just another industry—it’s becoming the backbone of the global economy. China, once known mostly as the world’s factory, is now stepping forward as a driving force in the AI revolution, building smart systems and new industries that will shape the decades ahead.

China and the Global AI Race takes you inside this transformation. This white paper unpacks how China is using AI to change everything from manufacturing and logistics to healthcare, retail, and global trade. It looks at how leading Chinese companies, from established giants to agile startups, are using AI not just to compete at home, but to build influence and partnerships around the world.

AI is no longer just a sector—it is the architecture of a new global economy…And China’s role in this transition is increasingly strategic.”
—  Li Haitao, Dean & Dean’s Distinguished Chair Professor of Finance, CKGSB

The report also explores how AI is reshaping work itself. Some jobs will disappear, many will evolve, and entirely new roles will emerge. It’s not just workers who need to adapt—leaders too must rethink how they build teams, develop talent, and navigate an increasingly AI-powered world.

At the same time, the white paper examines China’s growing role in open-source AI development, its push to bring intelligent machines into everyday life, and the challenges of balancing rapid growth with questions around ethics, security, and global collaboration.

What’s Inside:

• The Rise of AI-Driven Globalization: How AI is changing trade, supply chains, and value creation around the world.
  
• China’s New Global Strategy: Why AI is at the heart of China’s economic plans and how it’s fueling a new wave of global expansion.
  
• AI and the Future of Work: What the AI revolution means for workers, leaders, and the skills that will matter most.
  
• Smart Devices and Intelligent Machines:  How China’s manufacturing strengths are powering embodied AI and intelligent machines
  
• The Open-Source Movement: How Chinese companies are opening up their AI models and reshaping global competition.
  
• Building a Global AI Ecosystem: A look at how countries beyond China and the U.S. are joining the race—and what comes next.

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