China is accelerating its use of “embodied AI”—real-world robots and drones powered by artificial intelligence—to transform daily life. In major cities like Shenzhen, food deliveries by autonomous drones have become increasingly common, while humanoid robots are showing up at tech expos, shopping centers, and even assisting with customer service.
The AI momentum kicked into high gear thanks to homegrown models like DeepSeek’s R1, which rival global leaders despite running on less sophisticated chips. This success is fueling a push for open-source development, drawing global attention to China’s growing AI ecosystem.
Shenzhen is at the heart of this wave. The city is fast becoming China’s AI capital, with strong government support, relaxed regulations, and booming innovation from both startups and tech giants. Robots—both humanlike and wheeled—are being tested in real-world settings, from logistics centers to care facilities.
While some of the flashier robots are still working through mobility and coordination issues, the country is pressing ahead with its plans. Government funding is flowing into tech development as a strategic pivot away from weakening sectors like real estate and exports.
There’s also been a shift in tone from China’s leadership. Recent signals from the top suggest a renewed embrace of tech entrepreneurship, after years of tightened control. That green light is giving innovators the confidence—and the runway—to dream even bigger.
