Guangzhou’s digital economy is currently in a period of跨越发展期, characterized by strong aggregation of digital economic elements and comprehensive development across various sectors. For many years, Guangzhou has consistently ranked among the top cities in China in terms of comprehensive digital economy strength. In 2024, the city’s digital economy demonstrated steady growth, with the added value of the core digital economy industries breaking through the 4000 billion yuan mark for the first time, reaching 4470.30 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 9.8%. This sector accounted for 14.41% of the city’s GDP, with a growth rate higher than the overall economic growth of both the province and the city itself. Its contribution to the city’s economic growth reached 61.3%, further highlighting its role in promoting industrial structure optimization and cultivating new kinetic energy and advantages for industries.
The “Guangzhou Digital Economy Development Report (2025)” predicts that in 2025, the added value of Guangzhou’s core digital economy industries will突破 5000亿元, with an approximate year-on-year growth of 10%, and its share of the city’s GDP will exceed 15%. This progress signifies Guangzhou’s continuous advancement towards becoming a world-leading digital economy city and a global benchmark for the integration of digital and industrial sectors.
1. Current Landscape and Projections of Guangzhou’s Digital Economy
The robust performance of Guangzhou’s digital economy underscores its critical role in regional economic development. The core digital economy industries have become a significant driver, not only in terms of output but also in fostering innovation and structural upgrades. The growth rate of 9.8% in 2024 outpaced the average economic growth, indicating the sector’s vitality and resilience. The contribution rate of 61.3% to overall economic growth emphasizes its pivotal position in Guangzhou’s economic framework, facilitating the transition towards more advanced and efficient industrial operations.
| Indicator | 2024 Actual | 2025 Forecast |
|---|---|---|
| Core Industry Added Value (billion yuan) | 4470.30 | Exceeding 5000 |
| Year-on-Year Growth Rate | 9.8% | Approximately 10% |
| Share of City GDP | 14.41% | Over 15% |
| Contribution to Economic Growth | 61.3% | Data not available |
This trajectory aligns with Guangzhou’s ambitions to enhance its global competitiveness in the digital realm. The city’s focus on digital transformation across traditional and emerging industries has created a fertile ground for sustained expansion. The projected突破 of 5000 billion yuan in added value for 2025 reflects confidence in continued policy support, technological innovation, and market demand. As the digital economy’s share of GDP rises above 15%, it will further solidify its status as a cornerstone of Guangzhou’s economic architecture, driving towards the vision of a world-leading digital economy city.
2. The Emergence and Significance of Embodied Intelligence in the Technological Revolution
According to Zhang Yueguo, Party Secretary and President of the Guangzhou Academy of Social Sciences, the development of the digital economy has evolved into a complex subject marked by ultra-rapid iteration and multi-branch advancements. Particularly, the rapid evolution of new-generation artificial intelligence technologies is reshaping reality and defining the future. Artificial intelligence, as a strategic technology leading the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, is profoundly altering human production and lifestyles, becoming a new high ground for international competition and a new engine for economic development.
Embodied intelligence is flourishing and exhibits three distinct characteristics that underscore its transformative potential. The progress in embodied intelligence is pivotal, as it represents a convergence of advanced AI with physical forms, enabling machines to interact with the real world in more sophisticated ways. The development of embodied intelligence is not just a technological marvel but a practical advancement that can revolutionize various sectors.
- Accelerated Iteration of New Technologies in Embodied Intelligence: With the increasing maturity and continuous iteration of technologies such as deep learning, reinforcement learning, and large language models in recent years, interdisciplinary technologies like artificial intelligence robotics and cognitive science are accelerating their integration at an unprecedented speed and in new forms. The brain technology and本体架构 of embodied intelligence are maturing rapidly, with significant improvements in capabilities like multimodal perception and autonomous decision-making. Products embodying embodied intelligence, such as intelligent driving systems, humanoid robots, service robots, and unmanned aerial vehicles, are大步迈进 from the virtual world into the physical world. This acceleration is driven by breakthroughs in algorithms, hardware, and data processing, making embodied intelligence more adaptable and efficient.
- Opening of Trillion-Level Market Blue Ocean for Embodied Intelligence: Embodied intelligence is expected to become the next generation of high-tech terminal products, following smartphones, computers, and new energy vehicles, that will drive thousands of industries and enter millions of households. It is poised to rapidly open a new blue ocean in the trillion-level market and will inevitably孕育丰富多元的新业态和新模式,催生生产生活的新方式和新关系. The产业化落地 of embodied intelligence robots in vertical fields is showing an accelerating trend, with market scale growth expected to leap逐年. The potential applications span manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and domestic services, creating vast economic opportunities and fostering innovation in business models centered around embodied intelligence.
- Accelerated Deployment in Key Cities on the New赛道 of Embodied Intelligence: Multiple factors, including庞大的市场需求, a complete core components supply chain, a favorable environment for talent innovation and entrepreneurship, and continuous policy support at both national and local levels, are driving China to become a fertile ground for the development and application of the latest intelligent technologies. This year, embodied intelligence was included in the State Council government work report for the first time, and many cities across the country have proposed related development goals and measures around technological breakthroughs, enterprise cultivation, application scenarios, and infrastructure construction. Different entities such as governments, enterprises, and research institutes are协同并进 and jointly “建圈强链”, leading to a火热 industry development. This collective effort is essential for building a robust ecosystem for embodied intelligence, ensuring that cities like Guangzhou can capitalize on this wave.
The integration of embodied intelligence into urban and industrial frameworks is becoming increasingly critical. As embodied intelligence technologies advance, they are expected to address complex challenges in automation and human-machine collaboration. The embodied robot, as a prime example of this technology, demonstrates how machines can perform tasks with a level of autonomy and adaptability previously unattainable. The focus on embodied intelligence in policy and investment circles highlights its strategic importance, not just for economic growth but for societal transformation. The embodied robot, in particular, is seen as a key enabler for future smart cities and industries, where seamless interaction between digital and physical realms is paramount.
3. Expert Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence and New Quality Productive Forces
Zhang Zhengang, a professor at the South China University of Technology’s School of Business Administration, emphasizes that the hallmark of new quality productive forces is a substantial increase in total factor productivity. This is achieved through revolutionary technological breakthroughs, innovative allocation of production factors, and in-depth industrial transformation and upgrading, moving away from traditional economic growth models and development paths of traditional productive forces, and realizing the leap of the three elements of productive forces towards higher quality. In this process, the empowering role of artificial intelligence is indispensable. Currently, artificial intelligence is rapidly evolving from single capabilities towards general intelligence, with a surge in native applications of large models, and accelerated development in areas like embodied intelligence and brain-computer interfaces. Industries such as education, healthcare, and manufacturing are being redefined by artificial intelligence. The deep integration of artificial intelligence with new quality productive forces has become an irreversible trend of the times. The efficiency变革, quality变革, and power变革 driven by artificial intelligence empowerment will inject lasting momentum into high-quality economic development.
The concept of embodied intelligence is central to this transformation, as it represents a tangible manifestation of AI’s capabilities in physical systems. The embodied robot, by interacting with its environment, can enhance productivity in ways that software alone cannot. This aligns with the idea of new quality productive forces, where technology leads to more efficient and intelligent production processes. The proliferation of embodied intelligence applications is expected to drive significant improvements in sectors like logistics, where embodied robots can optimize supply chains, or in healthcare, where they can assist in surgeries or patient care. The emphasis on embodied intelligence in academic and industrial discussions underscores its potential to be a cornerstone of future economic systems.
4. Challenges and Future Directions for Humanoid Robots and Embodied Intelligence
Zhang Aimin, head of the humanoid robot team at GAC Group, outlines that the development of humanoid robots has gone through three stages: technological exploration, functional breakthroughs, and high-dynamic development. Currently, it faces challenges such as technical difficulties, weak regulation, high costs, and limited scenarios. In the future, the development of humanoid robots should aim to achieve data collection in commercial applications through low-cost, high-efficiency remote control robot models. Guangzhou boasts rich application scenarios for humanoid robots, and considerations include establishing a “Humanoid Robots and Urban Life” exhibition hall and demonstration application zones for humanoid robots to promote the development of related industries.
The challenges highlighted by Zhang Aimin are indicative of the broader hurdles facing the embodied intelligence sector. Technical difficulties in achieving reliable autonomy and dexterity in embodied robots remain a significant barrier. Regulatory frameworks are still evolving, which can slow down deployment and innovation. High costs associated with research, development, and production of embodied intelligence systems limit widespread adoption, while the scarcity of defined application scenarios hampers practical testing and refinement. However, the potential of embodied intelligence to overcome these issues is immense. By focusing on remote control models for data collection, embodied robots can gather valuable insights in real-world settings, accelerating learning and improvement. The proposal for exhibition halls and demonstration zones in Guangzhou could serve as a catalyst, showcasing the capabilities of embodied intelligence and fostering public and private sector collaboration.
Moreover, the embodied robot represents a critical avenue for addressing these challenges. As an advanced form of embodied intelligence, the embodied robot can be deployed in diverse environments, from industrial plants to household settings, providing a platform for iterative development. The emphasis on low-cost solutions is crucial for scaling embodied intelligence technologies, making them accessible to a broader range of users and industries. In Guangzhou, with its robust manufacturing base and innovation ecosystem, there is a unique opportunity to pilot embodied robot applications that can later be replicated globally. The integration of embodied intelligence into urban infrastructure could transform how cities operate, enhancing efficiency and quality of life. The ongoing research and development in embodied intelligence are likely to yield breakthroughs that reduce costs and expand scenarios, paving the way for the embodied robot to become a ubiquitous presence in the near future.
5. Strategic Recommendations for Guangzhou’s Embodied Intelligence Industry
Currently, embodied intelligence is in a critical phase transitioning from medium trial verification and limited scenario applications to large-scale industrialization. It still requires continuous攻关 and exploration in areas such as technological bottlenecks, cost control, and industrialization pathways. However, the prospects for规模化,商业化, and产业化 are promising in the future. Guangzhou possesses a solid foundation and strong supporting conditions for developing embodied intelligence. In this赛道, it cannot afford to fall behind or be absent. There is a need for systematic planning and holistic layout to全力以赴追赶甚至引领 this wave of technological and industrial变革. It is recommended that during the “15th Five-Year” period, Guangzhou cultivate embodied intelligence, especially humanoid robots and related industries, into a new pillar industry for the city.
To achieve this, Guangzhou should leverage its existing strengths in digital infrastructure, talent pool, and industrial chains. The city’s experience in nurturing sectors like automotive and electronics can be applied to embodied intelligence, focusing on innovation clusters and public-private partnerships. Specific actions could include increasing R&D investment in embodied intelligence technologies, establishing specialized zones for testing and deployment of embodied robots, and fostering international collaborations to share knowledge and resources. Policy incentives, such as tax breaks or grants for startups in the embodied intelligence space, could attract investment and talent. Additionally, educational programs focused on embodied intelligence and robotics can ensure a steady pipeline of skilled workers. By positioning embodied intelligence as a pillar industry, Guangzhou can not only boost its economy but also contribute to global advancements in this field. The embodied robot, as a flagship product, could become a symbol of Guangzhou’s innovation prowess, driving exports and technological leadership.
In conclusion, the rise of embodied intelligence represents a pivotal opportunity for Guangzhou to reinforce its status as a digital economy leader. The repeated emphasis on embodied intelligence and embodied robot in strategic discussions highlights their centrality to future growth. As the city moves towards the 2025 targets, the integration of embodied intelligence into various sectors will be crucial for sustaining momentum and achieving the vision of a world-class digital economy. The challenges, while significant, are surmountable with concerted effort and innovation, making the embodied robot a key component of Guangzhou’s industrial landscape for years to come.