A Bain delegation recently returned from the WEF Summer Davos meeting in Tianjin, China. The gathering brings together policymakers, academics, entrepreneurs, and executives for wide-ranging conversations spanning topics from geopolitics to philosophy. AI featured heavily throughout both the formal agenda and informal discussions across most topics.

Two critical contextual themes shaped the discussions: the current geopolitical backdrop and the launch of DeepSeek’s R1 model, which restored pride and confidence in China’s technology capabilities.

Here are four other key themes that stood out regarding progress in China that may not be evident to many outside the country.

China is open for business

China is actively positioning itself to fill gaps in the shifting geopolitical and economic landscape, signaling commitment to upholding global institutions such as the WTO while diversifying away from US reliance. China’s GDP has also seen stable growth in the first two quarters of this year, with first-quarter growth at 5.4%.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang said that the country would open its doors still wider to the world and make its technology available to other countries. He highlighted China’s desire to transition from a manufacturing power to a “mega-consumer market.” Echoing a theme voiced by many Chinese officials in recent months, he emphasized that “China’s innovation is open and open source.” We also heard that industrial consolidation, IP protection, and trusted global collaboration are rising priorities for China. Nevertheless, change will be tempered by a continued belief in common prosperity and the desire to avoid social disruption.

These sentiments were reinforced in other sessions. For instance, an executive from a major consumer electronics manufacturer described establishing manufacturing facilities, R&D centers, and supply chain networks closer to end markets rather than centralizing everything in China.

China’s advanced technologies

The summit showcased China’s ongoing shift from being a center for basic manufacturing to a major player in advanced technologies. This progress stems from several key advantages: China’s massive population, large number of skilled labor and engineering talent, and digital ecosystems generate enormous amounts of data while providing a huge user base for new products. The country has a growing pool of domestic research and engineering talent from top universities such as Tsinghua and Zhejiang. Additionally, government initiatives—such as its dual circulation strategy, which aims to strengthen China’s domestic market and reduce reliance on foreign technology while maintaining global market engagement—support technology development with funding and favorable policies.

Several sectors featured prominently in AI discussions: renewable energy, healthcare, industrial processes, and humanoid robotics. China’s strengths were evident given the country’s large share of global capacity in renewable energy, manufacturing, and robotics—plus the government’s focus on digital health in partnership with the private sector. Multiple examples of domain-specific AI models and data platforms, such as the Univers EnOS in energy and Yidu Tech in healthcare, were showcased at the summit. EnOS has the benefit of 280 million connected devices and 788 gigawatts of managed renewable energy. Yidu Tech has analyzed more than 6 billion medical records and has a doctor copilot station operating in more than 30 of China’s top hospitals.

The overarching message was that while China faces structural challenges—including overcapacity, weak domestic demand, and demographic pressures—the country continues to position itself as a formidable force in technology, emphasizing practical implementations over theoretical models.

Robotics: China’s next big vertical

China is rapidly becoming a global leader in robotics, potentially representing the next major product category after white goods, vehicles, and phones. Humanoid robots are already being deployed or tested in various applications throughout China, including dangerous jobs, last-mile delivery, care services, and homes.

Development is occurring across both large corporations, start-ups, and academic institutions. On one panel, Haier Chairman Zhou Yunjie sat alongside China’s 35-year-old robotics star and Unitree Founder Wang Xingxing. Haier has made significant strategic investments in robotics and smart homes. This integration of robotics into existing manufacturing and consumer ecosystems creates natural pathways for scaling. Zhou Yunjie and Wang Xingxing discussed open ecosystems that could enable robotics technologies to be deployed in smart homes. Wang described the depth of engineering talent from industry and universities that enabled him to build his company over the past decade. Unitree is known as one of the “six little dragons,” the best known of which is DeepSeek.

Organizational transformation

More broadly, the summit explored how AI could profoundly impact organizations. Discussions included the challenges that managers face leading mixed teams of human employees and AI-powered digital workers. This shift will require managers to develop fresh leadership skills. HR teams, which typically handle hiring and employee development, will need to partner closely with IT to seamlessly integrate digital workers into organizations. One start-up founder noted that 20% of her workforce is already AI-powered and that her employees must excel at collaborating with AI agents.

Companies will need to completely rethink their approach to employee skills and training. Leaders agreed that organizations must become much better at identifying which employee skills will remain valuable over time and which might become outdated as AI advances. Skills such as creativity and complex problem-solving are likely to remain relevant for years to come.

The meeting acknowledged serious concerns about job losses as AI and automation advance. Participants took a balanced view, recognizing that while some jobs will disappear, new opportunities will emerge requiring humans to work alongside AI systems. The consensus at the summit was that the solution lies in widespread training and education, with everyone needing to learn how to integrate AI into their daily work. Rather than attempting to halt technological progress, discussions emphasized preparing workers for change.

What does it mean for business leaders? Three key takeaways

• Update your thinking on China. Executives need to update their thinking on China. For instance, China is already a critical source of talent, technology, and innovation. What can your business learn from China? What opportunities exist for your business in China?
• Prepare for Chinese competition. Global markets face increased competition from Chinese firms. How will this impact your business?
• Develop a vision for increasingly sophisticated AI and robotics. AI and robotics will impact all parts of business. Do you have a vision for how your business will operate in a future with sophisticated AI and robotics, when your competitors and customers are using these technologies? How are you preparing your workforce for a future with digital workers?