How China is advancing AI

I recently participated in the Global South Media Workshop, held in the People’s Republic of China (Beijing and the Xizang Autonomous Region). The scale at which China has rolled out Artificial Intelligence (AI) is remarkable.

In the age of global digital transformation, AI has emerged as a powerful catalyst reshaping industries, economies, and daily life. Around the world, nations are racing to develop AI capabilities that will define the next era of productivity and innovation. At the forefront of this transformation stands China – not only as one of the largest markets for AI adoption but also as a dynamic force propelling AI research and industrial application to new heights.

During my trip, I visited two leading companies – Alibaba Group and iFlytek – both of which illustrate how China’s AI ecosystem is advancing through technological breakthroughs, innovative applications, and a commitment to human-centred progress.

Alibaba: AI as the backbone of the digital economy

Founded in 1999 as an e-commerce platform, Alibaba has evolved into a global technology powerhouse whose influence extends far beyond online shopping. Today, AI is woven into every facet of Alibaba’s business – from logistics to cloud computing, and from smart cities to consumer experiences.

One of the clearest examples of Alibaba’s AI capabilities is City Brain, an intelligent urban management system that leverages big data, cloud computing, and AI algorithms to optimise city operations. Launched in Hangzhou in 2016, City Brain has since been deployed in dozens of cities across China and abroad. By analysing massive streams of urban data in real time – such as traffic flow, emergency incidents, and infrastructure usage – City Brain can reduce traffic congestion by automatically adjusting traffic lights, dispatching emergency services faster, and improving road safety.

The results in Hangzhou are striking: reports show that City Brain helped cut traffic congestion by up to 15%, saving commuters time and improving air quality by reducing vehicle idling. Beyond traffic, City Brain is expanding into environmental monitoring, energy management, and even pandemic response – proving that AI can be a vital partner in building more liveable, sustainable cities.

Another significant example is Alibaba Cloud, which powers a vast array of AI services for businesses and developers. In sectors like retail, Alibaba uses AI-driven analytics to predict consumer preferences, optimise supply chains, and personalise recommendations for millions of shoppers on its e-commerce platforms such as Taobao and Tmall (popularly known in South Africa as Temu).

Temu entered South Africa as a major digital media spender. Within weeks, it disrupted the auction environment by dominating Google and Meta ad placements. Temu also personalises product recommendations for South African shoppers.

Moreover, Alibaba is pioneering AI applications in natural language processing and computer vision. Its AI-powered customer service bots handle millions of enquiries daily, freeing up human agents to focus on more complex issues.

iFlytek: Giving machines the power of voice and understanding

While Alibaba excels in large-scale industrial AI, iFlytek has become a global leader in intelligent speech and language technology. It is renowned for advanced speech recognition, machine translation, and voice interaction technologies that make machines not only listen but also understand and respond naturally.

One of iFlytek’s landmark products is its AI-powered automatic speech recognition system, which supports dozens of languages and dialects – including Swahili. In a country as linguistically diverse as China, this technology plays a crucial role in bridging regional language barriers and enhancing accessibility. The system has now been rolled out in more than 70 countries worldwide.

iFlytek’s translation devices have gained widespread popularity among travellers, students, and business professionals. The company’s portable translators can instantly translate conversations into multiple languages with remarkable accuracy. In most of the hotels I stayed in across Beijing and Xizang, I often saw these devices, which proved invaluable in easing communication with staff who spoke only Mandarin.

Education is another field where iFlytek’s AI is making a significant impact. Its intelligent learning platforms provide students with personalised tutoring and feedback, helping them identify knowledge gaps and learn more effectively. AI grading systems can evaluate handwritten essays and spoken responses, greatly reducing teachers’ workloads while ensuring more consistent assessments.

Innovation for people-centred development

The advances of Alibaba and iFlytek reflect China’s broader AI ambitions: to harness technological progress for real-world benefits. According to China’s national AI development plan, released in 2017, the country aims to become the world leader in AI by 2030. This plan emphasises integrating AI into manufacturing, healthcare, education, agriculture, and public services – while also calling for strong ethical guidelines and inclusive development.

Both companies align their innovation strategies with this vision. They invest heavily in research, development, and talent cultivation; collaborate with universities and research institutions; and participate in global academic communities.

At the same time, both Alibaba and iFlytek recognise the importance of trust and responsibility in AI. They have launched initiatives to strengthen data security and privacy protection, ensuring that technological progress goes hand in hand with public confidence.

Key lessons for South Africa

1. Clear National Strategy – China’s success is partly due to a clear, well-funded national AI plan.

2. Public-private partnerships – City Brain shows how urban challenges can be tackled through government-tech cooperation. South African cities could replicate this by working with local start-ups and established firms to build smart public infrastructure.

3. Data ecosystems – China’s AI boom relies heavily on vast amounts of data. South Africa must address data availability and governance challenges to drive local AI development, while balancing innovation with privacy.

4. Skills development – China has invested heavily in AI research talent. South Africa’s schools and universities can expand AI education to build a pipeline of skilled professionals capable of creating homegrown solutions.

5. Support for start-ups – By supporting local AI start-ups, as China does with firms like iFlytek, South Africa can help ensure the benefits of AI extend beyond big business and major urban centres.

Themba Thobela is the Acting Director of International Media Engagement at GCIS.