AI has permeated every facet of modern life, poised to revolutionize our professional and recreational activities, educational endeavors, and even the ways in which we receive care. This transformative technology is making significant strides across various sectors, including hospitality, healthcare, entertainment, and education, redefining the world as we know it.
However, the pace of AI’s development varies across the globe. In Western countries, there is a noticeable inclination to strive for perfection, leading companies to invest considerable time in perfecting their AI systems prior to deployment.
Conversely, China has adopted a more pragmatic approach, where speed and adaptability are prioritized over the pursuit of flawless execution. Chinese firms appear more open to taking calculated risks, acknowledging the current limitations of AI while exploring its potentials.
Furthermore, China’s ambition to emerge as the global leader in AI technology development is bearing fruit. Here are three critical lessons that Western nations can draw from China’s economic strategy toward AI integration.
1. Embrace imperfection
Many enterprises in China have adopted a “good enough” philosophy regarding AI utilization, implementing it even when the technology has not reached its peak development. This approach carries inherent risks, but it also fosters rapid learning and innovation.
For instance, in 2016, Haidilao, a leading Chinese restaurant chain, launched “Xiaomei,” a basic AI system designed to manage customer calls for reservations. Despite Xiaomei’s limited capabilities—primarily handling reservation inquiries—it efficiently managed over 50,000 customer interactions daily, achieving an impressive 90% accuracy rate.
While it is not without flaws, Xiaomei serves as a vital asset to the restaurant, demonstrating that AI can create substantial value even when it is not perfect.
2. Make it practical
A critical difference in AI strategies between China and Western countries lies in the emphasis on practical, problem-solving applications. In numerous Western sectors, AI is often linked to advanced technologies like robot-assisted surgery and intricate predictive models.
While these advancements are undeniably impressive, they do not always yield immediate benefits. In contrast, China has achieved notable progress by deploying AI to address more fundamental needs.
For example, certain hospitals in China have begun using AI to assist with essential tasks. In April 2024, Wuhan Union Hospital unveiled an AI patient service that functions as a triage nurse through a messaging application.
Patients submit their symptoms and medical histories, and the AI assesses the urgency of their condition, prioritizing appointments based on both need and resource availability. The evaluation is then communicated to a human physician, who determines the next steps in patient care.
This system ensures patients with the most pressing needs receive timely attention, enhancing overall efficiency and decreasing wait times for individuals in search of medical care. Notably, within its first month of operation at the hospital’s breast clinic, it reportedly provided over 300 patients with additional consultation time, 70% of whom were in urgent need of surgical intervention.
3. Learn from mistakes
China’s swift embrace of AI technology has not been devoid of obstacles. However, each setback serves as a valuable learning opportunity.
A notable cautionary tale regarding AI implementation arises from Japan. Henn na Hotel in Nagasaki made headlines as the world’s first hotel entirely staffed by robots, attracting significant interest due to its futuristic concept.
However, the reality soon proved disappointing. The hotel’s in-room robotic assistant, Churi, frequently misinterpreted guest requests, creating various misunderstandings. One guest even reported that he was repeatedly woken up because the robot confused the sounds of his snoring for a query.
In stark contrast, many Chinese hotels have taken a more cautious approach, favoring simpler yet effective robotic solutions. Autonomous delivery robots have become common in hotels across the country, efficiently navigating hallways and elevators to deliver meals to guests.
By addressing specific, high-impact problems, Chinese companies have successfully integrated AI in ways that enhance usefulness while minimizing disruptions.
The aforementioned restaurant chain provides another compelling example of this mentality. Following the success of its chatbot, Haidilao launched “smart restaurants” outfitted with robotic arms and automated food delivery systems. Yet, during peak hours, this technology faced challenges and lacked the personal touch that many diners appreciated.
Rather than abandoning the initiative, Haidilao opted to continually refine its AI application. The restaurant adopted a hybrid model that merges automation with human employees to elevate the dining experience.
This adaptive approach in the face of challenges illustrates a critical flexibility and readiness to change course when uncertainties arise. Overall, China’s pragmatic stance toward AI has enabled the nation to emerge as a leader in numerous fields, even if it lags behind the West in terms of technological sophistication. This progress is attributed to an openness to embrace AI’s imperfections and adjust accordingly.
When speed and adaptability are essential, waiting for perfect solutions is not an option. By welcoming the flaws of AI, prioritizing practical applications, and incorporating real-world feedback, Chinese companies have effectively unlocked the economic potential of AI in ways that others have been hesitant to replicate.
