The just – concluded Central Economic Work Conference emphasized the need to develop the Guangdong – Hong Kong – Macao Greater Bay Area into an international science and technology innovation hub, launch a new round of initiatives for the high – quality development of key industrial chains, further expand the “AI +” model, and improve AI governance. This indicates that the construction of the Greater Bay Area’s international science and technology innovation hub and the development of the artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics industry are embracing fresh policy dividends.
How is the AI and robotics industry faring in the Greater Bay Area?
From December 12 to 14, 2025, the Guangdong – Hong Kong – Macao Greater Bay Area Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Industry Conference cum Guangdong Provincial AI and Robotics Skills Competition will be held in Guangzhou. With the theme of “Connecting the World with Intelligence, Writing a New Chapter for the Bay Area”, this event aims to build a high – end integrated exchange platform for government, industry, academia, research, application and business sectors, rooted in the Guangdong – Hong Kong – Macao Greater Bay Area and radiating globally. Boasting over 600 AI and robotics enterprises, more than 10,000 industry representatives, a plenary forum for 1,000 participants, multiple parallel thematic forums, and a 3,000 – square – meter AI and Robotics Carnival, this three – day sci – tech gala will conduct an all – round and in – depth discussion on the latest industry developments, cutting – edge technological applications and future trends. It will also fully showcase the remarkable achievements and bright prospects of the AI and robotics industry in the Greater Bay Area.
AI and robotics are dominant technologies and major industries that are leading future development and emerging vigorously. General Secretary Xi Jinping attaches great importance to the development of the AI and robotics industry. He stressed that “as informatization and industrialization keep integrating, the intelligent industry represented by robotics technology is flourishing, becoming a significant symbol of scientific and technological innovation in the modern era”. He also urged to “give full play to the advantages of the new nationwide system, adhere to self – reliance and self – improvement, focus on application – orientation, and promote the healthy and orderly development of China’s AI in a beneficial, safe and fair direction”. Endowed with both electromechanical technology and digital – intelligent technology advantages, Guangdong has held the Provincial High – Quality Development Conference and the Forum on the Development of the AI and Robotics Industry since the start of this year. It has also issued the Several Policies and Measures of Guangdong Province to Promote the Innovative Development of the Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Industry along with a series of initiatives for relevant niche sectors. These efforts are designed to comprehensively accelerate the development of the AI and robotics industry, foster industrial clusters, and strive to seize opportunities and build advantages in strategically crucial fields.
Developing the AI and robotics industry is not only an inevitable requirement for Guangdong to explore new fields and gain an edge in new competitive arenas, but also a new growth driver that Guangdong has the foundation, conditions and full capabilities to expand and strengthen. Data speaks for strength: In 2024, the scale of Guangdong’s core AI industry reached 220 billion yuan. Its industrial robot output accounted for over 40% of the national total, ranking first in China for five consecutive years, and its service robot output made up more than 80% of the national total. From January to October this year, the scale of the province’s core AI industry exceeded 230 billion yuan. The outputs of industrial robots and service robots stood at 260,200 units and 12.8388 million units respectively, both remaining the highest in China. Overall, Guangdong’s AI and robotics industry leads the country in R & D capabilities, enterprise development, key products, industrial applications and market potential. It also takes a leading position in China in computing chips, enjoys distinct advantages in model algorithms, possesses world – class intelligent terminals, and is at the forefront of application empowerment. Its comprehensive strength has long been ranked first nationwide, highlighting its status as the “core engine of China’s industrial development”.
The strength of the Greater Bay Area lies in coordination, and the prosperity of industries hinges on integration. Centered on “one conference, one competition and one carnival”, this event will not only fully demonstrate the strong strength of the AI and robotics industry in the Greater Bay Area, but also depict a grand blueprint for future development featuring “industry – driven growth, innovation – led progress and talent – supported development”. The conference serves as a platform for collaboration among government, industry, academia, research, application and business sectors. The plenary forum will interpret industrial policies and provide development guidelines, while parallel forums themed “AIR + Talent”, “AIR + Digital Culture”, “AIR + Transportation”, “AIR + Marketing (Going Global)” and “AIR + Manufacturing” will share cutting – edge viewpoints and practical experience. The skills competition, adhering to the concept of “cultivating talents and boosting industrial development through competition”, will accurately meet industrial demands, train practical – oriented technical experts, and consolidate the talent base for the AI and robotics industry. The carnival will build a sci – tech experience platform accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds through scenario displays, on – site competitions, cultural performances and public interactions. It will empower new consumption with new technologies and make science and technology tangible, perceptible, enjoyable and usable. Taking this grand event as an opportunity to continuously deepen innovation coordination in the Greater Bay Area, improve the industrial ecosystem, and strengthen talent training will fully unleash the synergistic effect of “1+1+1>3”. This will surely accelerate the development of new quality productive forces and inject strong momentum into building the Greater Bay Area into a world – leading highland for the innovation and development of the AI and robotics industry.
AI is triggering an industrial transformation, and the era of robotics is gradually becoming a reality. It is expected that all sectors will adhere to a pragmatic and efficient service philosophy, focus on supporting and benefiting enterprises, accelerate the high – quality development of the AI and robotics industry, and speed up the formation of new quality productive forces. Efforts should also be made to build a modern industrial system with international competitiveness, empower all industries to improve quality and efficiency, create new economic models, new life experiences and new governance methods in the intelligent era, and promote the construction of the Greater Bay Area’s international science and technology innovation hub to achieve more landmark outcomes and breakthroughs.
