China accelerates AI integration in finance and humanoid robotics

China is accelerating the integration of artificial intelligence into key economic sectors to foster ‘new quality productive forces.’ In the financial sector, AI is transitioning from peripheral roles to core functions such as credit granting, risk control, and compliance. By analyzing non-financial data like intellectual property and research backgrounds, AI enables financial institutions to evaluate the future potential of tech enterprises rather than relying solely on historical financial statements.

Simultaneously, the humanoid robot industry is seeing rapid expansion. According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China produced over 40,000 humanoid robots in the first half of this year, with annual production expected to exceed 100,000 units. This growth is driven by advancements in embodied AI, which allows robots to move from digital environments into physical applications. These technologies are being deployed across more than 300 scenarios, including warehousing, logistics, catering, and domestic services.

Despite this progress, challenges remain. The financial sector faces issues regarding algorithmic ‘black boxes,’ data silos, and a shortage of cross-disciplinary talent. In the robotics sector, the focus remains on improving motion control, tactile sensing, and the ability of large models to help robots navigate complex physical environments.