At the inauguration ceremony attended by over 100 guests from government, technology companies, academic institutions, and industry associations, PwC China unveiled its strategy to bridge the gap between cutting-edge AI research and real-world business applications. The institute covers five core capabilities: frontier research, AI manufacturing, ecosystem alliances, industry exchange, and talent development — spanning the full value chain from research to industrial deployment.
PwC China Chairman and CEO Hemione Hudson noted that China's advantages in AI technology R&D, scenario implementation, and ecosystem building have made it a global innovation hub. "We established this institute to continue leveraging PwC's professional strengths at this critical moment in AI innovation, supporting Chinese enterprises' digital transformation while connecting Chinese AI technology with global market demand," she said.
PwC Global Chief AI Officer Joe Atkinson emphasized that the institute combines PwC's deep global AI expertise with local business advantages, helping both Chinese enterprises and multinationals operating in China to adopt AI technology safely, compliantly, and efficiently. The institute also features a physical experience center where enterprises can interact with PwC experts to co-create prototypes and rapidly develop AI deployment plans tailored to their business needs.
Dr. Liu Yaxiao, the institute's director and PwC China AI industry expert, described the institute's core differentiator as a "converter" between AI technology and business needs. "By connecting the open ecosystem to make large models adapt to real scenarios, we bring measurable returns to enterprises," he said. PwC's recently released China AI Effectiveness Report shows that local enterprises are shifting AI investment from cost reduction to value creation.
The institute also released the "PwC 2026 Intelligent Robotics Industry Development White Paper" and engaged in deep discussions on AI efficiency research with ecosystem partners, presenting the latest trends and practical pathways for China's AI industry development.
Knowledge takeaway: PwC China launched an AI research institute in Shanghai, partnering with Huawei Cloud, SAP, and Microsoft. The institute focuses on five areas — frontier research, AI manufacturing, ecosystem alliances, industry exchange, and talent development — aiming to bridge global AI capabilities with local market needs. A physical experience center enables rapid prototyping of AI solutions for enterprise clients.