ABAC expert: China's AI integration in traditional sectors offers blueprint for Asia-Pacific

China's applications of artificial intelligence in traditional sectors provide valuable insights for other economies exploring AI adoption, said Jan De Silva, Chair of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Digital and Innovation Working Group, in an interview with Guangming Online on July 26 during APEC Digital Weeks 2026 in Chengdu City, southwest China's Sichuan Province.

During a visit to Chengdu CRP Robot Technology Co., Ltd., a Chinese high-tech company specializing in industrial robots, collaborative robots and embodied intelligent robotics, De Silva observed demonstrations of robots performing tasks such as welding and assembly in real-world manufacturing scenarios.

She said AI adoption is not about replacing workers, but about enhancing human capabilities and helping companies grow their businesses. She also highlighted the importance of infrastructure, including energy supply for data centers, noting that China's experience in data center development and power grid management could provide useful references for other economies.

De Silva added that ABAC is conducting a project on AI applications in traditional sectors, with case studies from China and other economies expected to help markets better understand practical AI deployment across diverse industries.