A Thought on Artificial Intelligence in China: The Future of Economic Development

Artificial Intelligence in China: Shanghai Skyline with Historical Waibaidu Bridge - A symbol of China's blend of history and modern AI innovation.
Artificial Intelligence in China: Shanghai Skyline with Historical Waibaidu Bridge – A symbol of China’s blend of history and modern AI innovation.

China’s rise as a global leader in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is monumental, with aspirations that reach beyond mere technological advancements. As I highlighted in my previous post, China’s AI innovations aim to tackle the challenges posed by the one-child policy, which has aged its population significantly.

This leads to an imbalance of assets and liabilities that AI, with its practical applications, can help to resolve. The stakes of AI in China signify a major shift in technological advancements and economic development.

AI and China’s Economic Growth: A Strategic Alignment

The development of AI in China is not merely about technological innovation. It’s about creating real-world solutions that align with the nation’s demographic and economic needs. Whether it’s healthcare, transportation, or financial services, Artificial Intelligence in China is changing the game.

Practical Applications of Artificial Intelligence in China: Transforming Various Sectors

From healthcare to transportation, AI is revolutionizing various sectors in China. The nation’s focus on AI innovation and its potential for practical applications are part of a broader strategy to sustain economic growth.

Artificial Intelligence in China: Learning from China’s AI Strategy

What can we learn from China’s AI endeavors? The answer lies in understanding their approach towards innovation, collaboration, and long-term planning. My book Visual Analytics with Tableau (Amazon) explores how visual analytics plays a vital role in understanding complex data structures and emerging trends, including those related to AI.

A Deep Dive into Digital Transformation

Interested in a comprehensive exploration of digital transformation? My upcoming book, Decisively Digital: From Creating a Culture to Designing Strategy, dives deep into digital transformation, including insights from China’s AI landscape. Pre-order your copy today!

Don’t miss out on the latest insights related to AI, digital transformation, and more. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay in the loop.

How China is Winning in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: A Deep Dive into Innovation, Culture, and Strategy

China AI: The impressive Alibaba Campus in Hangzhou, a hub of innovation and intrapreneurship.
China AI: The impressive Alibaba Campus in Hangzhou, a hub of innovation and intrapreneurship.

China’s AI revolution is taking the world by storm. In this journey across cities like Hangzhou, discover how China is leading the AI industry, inspiring innovation, and shaping the future.

Currently, I’m on a 4-week China trip, visiting many cities. In Hangzhou, I met CEIBS peers who work for Alibaba. While the Alibaba campus is quite impressive, I got even more impressed by Alibaba’s leadership culture, which is encouraging its employees to innovate as intrapreneurs.

Intrapreneurship at Alibaba: The China AI Model for Success

At the impressive Alibaba Campus in Hangzhou, I discovered the power of intrapreneurship. If you start your own project (a new mobile app, a patent, a scientific paper, etc.), you’re doing it at your own pace. Employees are encouraged to innovate at their own pace, without being micro-managed. Success is rewarded with bonuses. Truly, this is where we can learn from China in the „China AI“ landscape!

China’s AI Ambitions: Leading the New World Order

Yue and me, Hangzhou West Lake

While traveling in China I was reading AI Superpowers: China Silicon Valley, and the New World Order by Kai-Fu Lee, a book that is a must-read to get an idea of where China’s AI ambitions are heading to. What matters most for AI innovation these days, the author argues, is access to vast quantities of data—where China’s advantage is overwhelming.

A quite entertaining book focusing on the new mindset of China’s young generation is this one: Young China: How the Restless Generation Will Change Their Country and the World by Zak Dychtwald.

Visualizing the Journey: Exploring my Tableau Public Viz

Which other cities in China did I visit? Check out my Tableau Public viz:

A visualization of my 2019 China Visit, exploring the cities and experiences.
A visualization of my 2019 China Visit, exploring the cities and experiences.

Interested in Visual Analytics? Grab a copy of my latest book, Visual Analytics with Tableau (Amazon), for a comprehensive guide to mastering data visualization.

Stay Connected and Explore More on China AI

China’s AI is reshaping the global landscape. From Alibaba to the nation’s strategies, China AI inspires and challenges the world. It’s a blend of technology, culture, and energy driving China’s AI revolution.

The experiences and insights from this trip have been truly enlightening. I invite you to join me as I continue to explore the fascinating world of China AI, digital transformation, and visual analytics. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn, and let’s continue learning together.

Don’t miss my upcoming book, Decisively Digital: From Creating a Culture to Designing Strategy (Amazon) Dive deep into digital transformation and be part of the new era of innovation.

Live Scorpions and Seahorses wriggling on a Stick

Live Scorpions and Seahorses wriggling on a Stick
Live Scorpions and Seahorses wriggling on a Stick

Wouldn’t you like to try one?

Located right in the center of Beijing’s business district Donghuamen, the Wangfujing Night Market is known to many as the „Crazy Food Street“. Even though you can have the scorpions fried before you eat them, you also have the option of being brave and eating them alive. Mentally, one of the most difficult things to eat, especially since the scorpions are still alive an moving just before you eat them.

And if you are really feeling adventurous, try delicates like starfish, chicken heart, duck tongue, shrimp eggs, centipede, octopus tentacle and many more. I especially enjoyed silk-worms, very small but thick bugs that looked like they had a shell.

Discovering Beijing: The Forbidden City

The Forbidden City
The Forbidden City

Imagine we were just electrified in Tokyo, not tired at all hopping back to Beijing where we continued our trip. After passing through the chaos of the airport taxi rank, we decided to take the metro. Finally, after wandering around a few alleyways and asking a few times we ran into an old Chinese man who pointed us in the right direction and we finally checked into the Inner Mongolia Grand Hotel Beijing.

Smog covering Beijing
Smog covering Beijing

The first thing that comes to mind about Beijing is the smog in the air and the smell of exhaust fumes. It was very evident that the air here is not very clean even at night. Last time I experienced such air polution was 2007 in Bangalore, India. You hear a lot about it but you have to breathe it to fully comprehend how thick it actually is.

The Forbidden CityThe Forbidden City was the first site that we visited in Beijing. Off limits for 500 years, the Forbidden City in the heart of Beijing was finally opened to the masses in 1949. This is a huge complex and China’s most spectacular architectural structure. The Forbidden City was home to 24 emperors in two dynasties, the Ming and the Qing.

The three main halls of the outer court, Hall of Supreme Harmony, Hall of Central Harmony and Hall of Preserved Harmony form a line inside the gate. These halls are all situated on three-tier marble terraces, with ornate marble balustrades. An impressive stone ramp carved with coiled dragons and clouds is located between the steps leading up to each hall. The ramp of Hall of Preserved Harmony is the largest.

The Forbidden City is an amazing walk around that took us one day. We continued with …

„The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.“ – Lao Tzu

[flickr_set id=“72157645604006685″]