China’s Tech Architects 2025: The Innovators Redefining AI, Robotics and Digital Culture
Robin Li – Baidu & ERNIE
Robin Li is the co‑founder and CEO of Baidu, often called “China’s Google”, and the driving force behind the ERNIE family of large language models. His vision connects AI with search, maps, cloud and marketing tools, shaping how Chinese users discover information and brands online.
https://www.baidu.com
https://cloud.baidu.com
https://ir.baidu.com/company-overview/management
Wang Xiaochuan – Baichuan AI
Wang Xiaochuan is the former CEO of search engine Sogou and the founder of Baichuan AI, one of China’s most dynamic startups in foundation models. Baichuan focuses on powerful, efficient language models tailored to Chinese users, making it a strategic partner for local developers and digital businesses.
https://www.baichuan-ai.com
https://www.baichuan-ai.com/about
Xu Li – SenseTime
Xu Li is the co‑founder and CEO of SenseTime, a global leader in computer vision and now a major player in generative AI. Under his leadership, SenseTime’s technology powers smart cities, retail analytics, autonomous driving and creative tools that blend vision, data and design.
https://www.sensetime.com
https://www.sensetime.com/en/about/leadership
Pony Ma – Tencent & Hunyuan
Pony Ma (Ma Huateng) founded Tencent, the company behind WeChat, QQ and one of the world’s largest gaming ecosystems. Tencent’s Hunyuan large model is being built into chat, games and cloud services, turning everyday experiences into AI‑augmented touchpoints for brands and creators.
https://www.tencent.com
https://www.tencentcloud.com
https://www.tencent.com/en-us/management.html
Alibaba Cloud AI Team – Tongyi Qianwen
Alibaba’s AI team created Tongyi Qianwen, a family of large models embedded in e‑commerce, office tools and cloud platforms. For marketers and designers, Tongyi means smarter product content, automated creativity and data‑driven customer journeys across the Alibaba ecosystem.
https://www.alibabagroup.com
https://www.alibabacloud.com
https://www.alibabacloud.com/product/tongyi-qianwen
Wang Xingxing – Unitree Robotics
Wang Xingxing is the founder of Unitree Robotics, known for agile quadruped and humanoid robots that frequently go viral in demo videos. Unitree shows how China is blending robotics, AI and industrial design into highly visual and commercially viable machines.
https://www.unitree.com
https://www.unitree.com/about
https://www.youtube.com/@UnitreeRobotics
https://www.linkedin.com/company/unitree-robotics
UBTech Robotics Founders
UBTech Robotics designs humanoid and educational robots that perform at expos, work in security and help kids learn to code. The company’s work sits at the intersection of entertainment, education and service robotics, making robots feel more like characters than machines.
machines.
https://www.ubtrobot.com
https://www.ubtrobot.com/en/about
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ubtech-robotics
CloudMinds – Cloud Robotics Vision
CloudMinds focuses on cloud‑connected service robots operating in hospitals, malls and logistics centers. Their concept of “cloud robotics” combines 5G, sensors and AI in the cloud, enabling lighter robots with smarter, remotely managed brains.
https://www.cloudminds.com
https://www.cloudminds.com/company
https://www.linkedin.com/company/cloudminds
Zhang Yiming – ByteDance (TikTok/Douyin)
Zhang Yiming founded ByteDance, the company behind TikTok and Douyin, which has reshaped global attention through short‑form video and recommendation algorithms. For marketers and creators, ByteDance’s platforms are laboratories of addictive UX, data‑driven content and trend culture.
https://www.bytedance.com
https://www.tiktok.com
https://www.douyin.com
https://www.bytedance.com/en/about
Wang Tao (Frank Wang) – DJI
Frank Wang is the founder of DJI, the world’s leading drone company for both consumers and professionals. DJI combines hardware, imaging and software into flying cameras that have transformed filmmaking, content creation and even industrial inspections.
https://www.dji.com
https://www.dji.com/company
https://www.youtube.com/@DJI
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dji
