Visitors check out Cisco’s large-scale language model for network operations in the exhibition area at the 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai on July 29. CHINA DAILY
China’s strong industrial base, rapid technology adoption and growing demand for artificial intelligence applications are creating new opportunities for global technology companies as the country moves from building AI capabilities to large-scale application across sectors of the real economy, a senior executive said.
Ben Dawson, president of Cisco Asia Pacific, Japan and Greater China, said in an exclusive interview with China Daily during the 2026 Summer Davos Conference last month that the country’s long-term appeal lies not only in its market size but also in its ability to translate technological ambitions into large-scale industrial applications.
“I think China’s ambitions in AI innovation are really strong,” Dawson said on the sidelines of the forum, also known as the World Economic Forum’s 17th New Champions Annual Meeting, to be held in Dalian, Liaoning province from June 23 to 25. “The theme of this forum is very appropriate for China: innovation at scale.”
His remarks came as China accelerates towards building a new type of smart economy. This year’s Government Action Report called for advancing and expanding the AI Plus initiative, promoting faster adoption of new generations of intelligent terminals and AI agents, and promoting large-scale commercial application of AI in key sectors and fields.
ben dawson
Dawson said Cisco has been investing in China for more than 30 years and has witnessed the country’s transformation through successive waves of digital development, from building the internet and mobile internet to cloud computing.
He said the next stage of AI development will be shaped not just by breakthroughs in models and computing power, but also by how effectively the technology is applied across industries.
“China has demonstrated innovative capabilities in building AI technology,” Dawson said. “I think the next big opportunity is innovation in the use of technology in different areas.”
Smart manufacturing, healthcare, logistics and financial services are among the areas with high potential for large-scale AI adoption, as they are well-established sectors with plenty of room for modernization, he said.
Dawson noted that these industries often have large-scale operations, standardized processes, and a growing demand for more efficient service delivery, making them ideal conditions for AI adoption.
“They rely heavily on repeatable and consistent processes, and AI is very good at delivering that more effectively and consistently,” he said.
Market analysts also expect the adoption of AI in China to accelerate. 2026 could be a pivotal year for the large-scale adoption of AI agents in China, said Xu Bin, head of research at UBS Securities, adding that UBS remains positive about accelerating AI adoption and expects the industry value chain to continue to evolve.
As companies move from experimentation to widespread adoption, the ability to capture value from AI will largely depend on readiness, infrastructure, and governance, Dawson said.
Citing the AI Readiness Index, a global study conducted by Cisco for several years, Dawson said many organizations around the world are not yet fully prepared to embrace the changes brought about by AI.
He says the most advanced organizations tend to share several characteristics. This means making AI part of their core business strategy, moving quickly from pilot projects to production, building security into their infrastructure design, and establishing clear governance and measurement systems.
“AI strategy is not a sideshow; it’s part of their core business strategy,” Dawson said.
Dawson said AI could become a source of strategic advantage for economies beyond individual companies, and an area where international cooperation becomes increasingly important.
“At Cisco, we believe in the advancement of the world’s technology sector, and that the global economy will rely on a balance of cooperation and healthy levels of competition across industries and countries to advance this sector for the benefit of everyone,” he said.
Looking forward, Dawson said Cisco will continue to serve China through the next phase of digital transformation.
“We’re going to continue on that journey,” he said. “These are exciting times, and we will continue to invest in and support our customers for as long as needed to continue that transformation.”
zhangchenxu@chinadaily.com.cn
