CKGSB Launches New White Paper on China’s Role in the Global AI Race

The Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB) today released a innovative white paper, “China and the Global AI Race,” offering an in-depth analysis of China’s burgeoning leadership in artificial intelligence. The report highlights how China is strategically leveraging its unique strengths in manufacturing, vast data resources, and a dynamic startup ecosystem to solidify its position as a global AI powerhouse.

According to CKGSB Dean Li Haitao, AI has transcended its status as merely a sector; it is now the foundational architecture of a new global economy. He emphasizes China’s increasingly strategic role in this profound transition. The white paper, drawing on insights from CKGSB faculty and top industry experts, meticulously dissects China’s complete AI strategy across four critical dimensions: the open-source revolution, workforce transformation, intelligent robotics, and AI ecosystem development.

A key revelation of the paper is the disruptive potential of open-source AI, exemplified by the breakthrough DeepSeek R1 model. This model offers robust performance with significantly lower hardware costs, a development that could fundamentally reshape the U.S.-China technology competition. Professor of Strategic Management Teng Bingsheng suggests that China may be able to circumvent the intensity of a “chip war” by focusing on engineering innovations to optimize computational capacity, a significant opportunity.

The report also delves into the human element of this technological shift, examining how AI is reshaping leadership and the workforce. It posits that AI is not primarily replacing jobs but rather creating a demand for new skills and fostering the emergence of “AI Architects.” These are a new generation of business leaders focused on seamlessly integrating artificial intelligence into core operations. As Sun Tianshu, CKGSB Dean’s Distinguished Chair Professor of Information Systems, notes, “The challenge is no longer about access to intelligence, but about how to integrate it effectively.”

Looking ahead, the white paper identifies robotics as the next frontier for substantial growth. Professor Sun predicts that “the physical world will become the space of highest potential for AI development in the next few years.” This sentiment is echoed by CKGSB alumnus Li Mingyang, Chairman of Jaka Robotics Co., who points to China’s advanced smart vehicle industry as a strong foundation for the scaled mass production of core robotics components.

Collectively, these insights paint a vivid picture of a nation not merely participating in the global AI race, but actively charting its future course. “China and the Global AI Race” is positioned as an indispensable guide for business leaders, policymakers, and anyone seeking to comprehend the trajectory of 21st-century technology and economic power. The complete white paper is available for download on the CKGSB official website.