China's tech advances boon for global firms

China is emerging as an innovation-centric economy, with technological advances setting the stage for global shifts, while foreign companies can leverage their expertise around the world to help Chinese businesses bolster digital transformation, said Samantha Zhu, chairperson of Accenture Greater China.

"For businesses in China looking to boost their productivity and maintain competitiveness, technologies led by artificial intelligence present an unprecedented opportunity to create value, respond dynamically to change and build resilience," Zhu said in a recent exclusive interview with China Daily.

"The recent progress in the wave of AI-led innovation is very encouraging as companies quickly pick up the signal and mobilize themselves to harness the use of such technologies. We anticipate more innovation and application happening across industries and functions, from R&D to manufacturing, from customer interfaces to warehousing, from upskilling to sustainability."