Chinese foundation models, AI video ecosystems, and embodied/robotics startups
China AI Models, Video & Embodied Startups
APAC’s 2024 AI Surge: Chinese Foundations, Media Ecosystems, Robotics, and Regional Resilience Drive Transformation
2024 continues to be a pivotal year for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region’s artificial intelligence landscape. Building on the momentum of previous years, recent developments highlight the region’s accelerating push toward technological sovereignty, innovative ecosystems, and societal resilience. From China's dominance in foundational models and open-source initiatives to rapid expansion in AI-driven media, embodied robotics startups, and strategic hardware investments, APAC is establishing itself as a formidable global AI leader—shaping standards, fostering regional innovation, and advancing societal goals.
Chinese Leadership in Foundations and Open-Source AI: A Deepening Momentum
China’s position at the forefront of AI foundational models remains unchallenged in 2024. The success of Zhipu AI’s GLM-5, which has seen widespread application across healthcare, finance, urban management, and more, underscores China’s leadership. Chinese firms are now advancing next-generation large language models (LLMs) that are industry-specific, capable of real-time reasoning, and tailored to regional needs.
Recent notable launches include Sarvam AI’s unveiling of 30-billion- and 105-billion-parameter models, showcased at the India AI Impact Summit. These models exemplify China’s strategic intent to expand regional influence and reduce reliance on Western AI giants such as OpenAI and Google. The focus is on building trustworthy, self-sufficient AI ecosystems that can drive regional adoption and set global standards.
Simultaneously, open-source projects like MiniMax M2.5 are gaining momentum across APAC. Offering cost-effective, high-performance models, these initiatives democratize access for local developers, startups, and research institutions, fueling regional innovation hubs aligned with China’s broader goal of technological self-sufficiency.
A notable cultural shift is also evident: millennials and Gen Z entrepreneurs are leading innovative efforts, demonstrating agility, bold experimentation, and a focus on fundamental research. This youthful wave injects vitality into China’s AI ecosystem, ensuring sustained momentum.
In hardware, Chinese startups are increasingly developing custom AI chips to address energy efficiency and performance demands. For example, FuriosaAI’s CEO June Paik emphasized rising costs and power consumption in state-of-the-art chips, highlighting a strategic pivot toward domestically developed, energy-efficient hardware solutions. This move aims to bolster industry resilience and reduce dependence on foreign supply chains, aligning with national sovereignty objectives.
AI Media Ecosystems: Rapid Expansion and Regulatory Vigilance
Chinese tech giants are revolutionizing media content creation and distribution through AI-powered platforms that generate high-quality, scalable videos. Platforms such as ByteDance’s Seedance 2.0 and Kuaishou’s Kling 3.0 utilize generative AI to facilitate rapid, personalized content production, empowering creators, brands, and media outlets to scale influence and engage audiences dynamically.
Industry analysts note that "Seedance 2.0’s viral success underscores China’s leadership in AI media," illustrating how these tools are redefining digital storytelling and social media engagement. The proliferation of AI-generated videos is actively transforming sectors such as entertainment, advertising, and social interaction, fostering automated, vibrant content ecosystems.
However, this rapid innovation is accompanied by heightened regulatory oversight. Authorities are establishing content provenance tracking, deepfake detection, and content moderation standards to maintain societal stability and public trust. Recent policies emphasize traceability for AI-generated content to curb misinformation and malicious deepfakes, while encouraging international cooperation on responsible media development. These measures aim to balance innovation with societal safeguards, ensuring AI’s role in media remains trustworthy and ethically aligned.
Embodied AI & Robotics: Accelerated Deployments and Capital Flows
The robotics sector across APAC is experiencing accelerated growth, fueled by strategic funding rounds and widespread deployments across industries. Chinese startups such as Qianjue Tech secured nearly RMB 100 million (USD 14 million) to advance factory automation, urban infrastructure, and public safety applications. These initiatives aim to boost operational efficiency and mitigate hazards via robotic solutions.
Recent milestones include RLWRLD, a physical AI startup focusing on robot foundation models for industrial environments, which announced raising $26 million in Seed 2 funding. RLWRLD’s emphasis on robot foundation models—a cutting-edge frontier—positions it at the forefront of embodied intelligence, with applications spanning manufacturing, logistics, and public safety.
Additionally, X Square, a leading robotics startup, secured new funding from SAIC and CICC, leading to a valuation surge. This influx signals investor confidence in autonomous systems and robot foundation models. The latest valuation milestones reflect robust optimism about robotics’ commercial potential.
Beyond China, Southeast Asia is emerging as a regional hub for embodied AI innovation. Companies like VinDynamics in Vietnam are developing AI systems for disaster response and smart urban mobility, directly supporting climate resilience and urban development. Similarly, Indian startups such as TakeMe2Space leverage AI-enabled satellite platforms for Earth observation, addressing climate change, resource management, and urban planning.
A notable example is Tattvam AI, founded by alumni of IIT Madras, which recently raised $1.7 million to develop AI systems automating semiconductor chip design—a strategic move to strengthen India’s semiconductor ecosystem by streamlining chip manufacturing workflows and reducing reliance on foreign suppliers.
Hardware & Semiconductor Sovereignty: Strategic Investments and Ecosystem Building
APAC’s push for technological independence continues with significant investments in semiconductors and hardware infrastructure. Indian startup C2i Semiconductors, backed by industry giants like Intel, raised $15 million to expand domestic semiconductor manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains.
India’s national AI development fund, totaling ₹1000 crore (USD 120 million), underscores the region’s commitment to economic growth and technological sovereignty. Other notable investments include ValleyNXT’s ₹400 crore (USD 50 million) Bharat Breakthrough Fund, supporting startups in AI, robotics, space, defense, and cybersecurity.
In the automotive and edge AI sectors, Qualcomm committed $150 million toward edge computing and autonomous vehicle AI, aiming to diversify supply chains and advance local hardware innovation. Meanwhile, BOS Semiconductors recently closed a Series A funding round of $60.2 million, focusing on AI chips tailored for autonomous vehicles and urban mobility. Similarly, Portkey secured $15 million to support LLM deployment platforms for enterprise AI solutions.
These investments reflect a deliberate strategy to build resilient, sovereign hardware ecosystems capable of supporting growing AI demands across industries.
The Rise of Autonomous Agent Platforms and Regulatory Evolution
2024 marks a paradigm shift with the emergence of autonomous AI agent platforms. RationalGO, an Indian startup founded by former McKinsey and YC alumni, offers self-managing agents designed for executive decision-making and workflow orchestration. These platforms point toward a future where AI systems operate with increasing independence, managing complex tasks with minimal human oversight.
However, this rapid development introduces regulatory and legal challenges. Recent trademark disputes, such as over the term “Anthropic,” highlight the need for clear legal protections for emerging AI entities. Governments and industry stakeholders are actively crafting regulations to foster a stable, innovation-friendly environment, aiming to balance progress with societal safeguards.
Talent mobility remains a critical driver of regional innovation, with Chinese entrepreneurs and regional startups collaborating across borders to share knowledge, foster talent exchange, and strengthen regional ecosystems.
New Focus Areas: Trust Layers, Provenance, and Ecosystem Resilience
An increasingly important theme in 2024 is the emphasis on AI trust layers and content provenance. The recent story of MiAngel, a startup dedicated to building trust layers for AI, exemplifies this shift. Its founder, in a compelling video interview, explained the motivation behind creating trust frameworks that ensure AI outputs are transparent, verifiable, and ethical. As AI becomes more embedded in critical societal functions, trust and accountability are paramount.
Furthermore, regional funding upswing is reinforced by perspectives from leaders like Linda Rottenberg, CEO of Endeavor, who predicts an impending “Funding Spring” in Asia. This influx of capital, coupled with cross-border talent flows, public-private partnerships, and strategic investments, is bolstering ecosystem resilience and fostering a fertile environment for innovation.
Current Status and Future Outlook
2024 stands as a watershed year for APAC’s AI ecosystem. Chinese leadership in foundational models, media innovation, and hardware sovereignty complements regional advances in embodied robotics, funding momentum, and regulatory evolution. These developments collectively foster an environment conducive to ethical, responsible, and practical AI deployment.
The region’s public-private partnerships, strategic investments, and talent mobility initiatives are cultivating a vibrant, resilient AI landscape poised for sustained growth into 2025 and beyond. APAC is positioned to establish global standards, drive inclusive economic growth, and enhance societal resilience.
Industry experts underscore that China’s and APAC’s collaborative efforts—spanning fundamental AI models, hardware innovation, regulatory frameworks, and trust layers—are shaping a future rooted in sovereignty, responsible innovation, and shared prosperity. The ongoing AI surge in APAC not only redefines regional trajectories but also fuels global progress toward an intelligent, equitable future.
Implications and Broader Significance
As APAC accelerates into the next phase of AI development, its ecosystem is strengthening its role as a leader in ethical, sovereign, and impactful AI applications. Chinese foundational models and media platforms continue pushing technological boundaries, while embodied AI and hardware investments bolster regional independence.
The rise of autonomous agent platforms and regulatory evolution, alongside trust layers and content provenance, exemplify a mature, forward-looking landscape committed to balancing innovation with societal safeguards. The region’s focus on trust, sovereignty, and inclusive progress underscores a shared vision: building AI that serves humanity, protects sovereignty, and fosters equitable growth.
With continued investments, cross-border collaborations, and talent mobility, APAC is poised to shape the global AI narrative, driving technological resilience, economic vitality, and societal well-being into the future. The region’s AI surge exemplifies a trajectory toward responsible, sovereign innovation that could redefine global AI leadership in the coming years.