What does the future of AI really look like - outside of Silicon Valley?

In this episode, we sit down with Kinling Lo (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kinling-lo-03555213a/), a reporter from the Rest of World, covering China’s tech ecosystem from the ground. From the rise of DeepSeek to China’s dominance in humanoid robots and AI adoption, this conversation challenges the Western narrative around innovation, competition, and control.

We explore how Chinese AI companies are scaling globally, why monetization matters more than hype, and what the US–China tech rivalry actually looks like on the inside.

• Why DeepSeek changed how the world views Chinese AI
• China vs US: competition, perception, and reality in tech

• How Chinese AI companies are monetizing faster than the West
• The truth about AI adoption in China (and why users are more optimistic)
• Why China dominates humanoid robots & manufacturing scale

• The role of geopolitics, chips, and global expansion strategies

The AI race isn’t just about who builds the best model—it’s about who scales, monetizes, and reaches the world first. This episode gives you a rare, on-the-ground perspective into China’s tech ecosystem—and what it means for the future of global innovation.

🔗 Connect with Us

👤 Aparna: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/aparnabhushan/

👤 Kinling: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kinling-lo-03555213a/

👤 Harinda: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/harindak/⁠⁠