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AI’s Potential Is Being Curbed by Lack of Trust and Talent, Experts Say

Published: Sep. 12, 2025  8:08 p.m.  GMT+8
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Executives from multiple countries discussed the various challenges faced in the implementation of AI applications at the Asia New Vision Forum 2025 hosted by Caixin Media on Sept. 11. Photo: Caixin
Executives from multiple countries discussed the various challenges faced in the implementation of AI applications at the Asia New Vision Forum 2025 hosted by Caixin Media on Sept. 11. Photo: Caixin

The artificial intelligence (AI) industry, still in its early stages, holds significant investment potential and trillion-dollar opportunities in fields like humanoid robots and AI agents. However, its adoption is hampered by challenges such as data integration, a lack of trust and a talent shortage, according to speakers at the Asia New Vision Forum 2025.

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  • The AI industry, especially in humanoid robots and AI agents, presents trillion-dollar opportunities but faces challenges like data integration, trust, and talent shortages.
  • China’s humanoid robot market is expected to reach $40 billion by 2035, with current investments far below North American levels; mass production may begin next year.
  • Investors believe founder quality is key, with AI adoption hindered by concerns over safety, trust, and data silos in large organizations.
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The artificial intelligence (AI) industry is in its nascent stages but promises large investment opportunities, particularly in areas like humanoid robots and AI agents. Despite robust interest, the sector faces obstacles such as integrating data, building trust, and overcoming a shortage of skilled professionals, as discussed at the Asia New Vision Forum 2025. Experts note that these factors currently hamper widespread adoption, suggesting that the industry remains far from reaching its full potential [para. 1].

Xiong Youjun, general manager of the Beijing Innovation Center of Humanoid Robotics, pointed out that although there has been a surge in interest, robot investments in China remain modest compared to North American counterparts: only tens of billions of yuan have been invested so far. He emphasized that humanoid robotics is still in an early stage, with current investments seen as only a precursor to future developments. As several companies begin small-scale production, mass-market entry and the corresponding need for larger investments in critical areas are expected next year. The long-term potential is immense, with Xiong predicting that once humanoid robots become household items, the market could be valued in the trillions of US dollars [para. 2][para. 3][para. 4][para. 5][para. 6].

Supporting this optimism, Zhao Yuli, chief strategy officer at Galbot, referenced a Morgan Stanley report forecasting that China's humanoid robot market will grow to $40 billion by 2035, a dramatic increase from its current scale. She emphasized that strong growth momentum exists, and success will come to those firms that best connect supply with genuine demand by transforming technology into scalable, industrial products [para. 7][para. 8].

On the topic of AI agents, Cynthia Zhang, founder of FutureX Capital, noted that while AI capabilities are ready, there remains a lack of compelling products, especially in the AI agent space. Major tech companies worldwide, including Google, Microsoft, Anthropic, Baidu, Lenovo, and Zhipu AI, have entered this arena, targeting both enterprises and consumers. A key milestone was the launch of Manus, a general-purpose AI agent developed by Beijing Butterfly Effect Technology, which can autonomously perform intricate tasks like resume filtering and stock analysis [para. 10][para. 11][para. 12][para. 13][para. 14].

Zhang highlighted industry challenges, such as the lack of experienced engineering teams and the difficulty startups face in securing high-quality, domain-specific data and enterprise trust for collaborative development. Despite these barriers, she sees abundant investment possibilities in the next 5 to 10 years. Her fund has invested in 60 AI companies across China and the US, with 70% already profitable, stressing the importance of betting on capable founders rather than specific market segments [para. 15][para. 16][para. 17].

Hans Dekkers of IBM Asia Pacific added that there is space for multiple large language models (LLMs) and a diverse range of domain-specific models, especially those based on proprietary enterprise data [para. 18].

Despite overall optimism, the road to AI's broad adoption is hindered by issues like trust, safety, and data integration challenges. Panelists highlighted the need to build public confidence in AI, manage fears of job displacement, and demonstrate superior safety, particularly in autonomous driving. Dekkers identified significant potential in integrating disparate AI agents across organizations into unified platforms. In sum, speakers agreed that while the AI industry is just beginning to “explode,” its transformative impact will depend on which companies successfully lead that change [para. 21][para. 22][para. 23][para. 24][para. 25][para. 26].

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Who’s Who
Galbot
Galbot is a Beijing-based robotics startup whose Chief Strategy Officer, Zhao Yuli, expresses optimism about the humanoid robot market. She believes in the strong growth momentum of the industry and highlights the challenge of effectively connecting supply with demand by transforming technology into viable products and scaling them for industrial needs.
Google LLC
Google LLC is among the tech giants that have been racing to introduce their own AI agents since early 2024. These AI agents, once primarily marketed as enterprise productivity tools, are now being targeted at consumers to assist with tasks like opening apps, completing multi-step operations, and managing digital life in a more intuitive way.
Microsoft Corp.
Microsoft Corp. is mentioned in the context of global tech giants that have raced to introduce their own AI agents. Along with Google LLC, Anthropic PBC, Baidu Inc., Lenovo Group Ltd., and Zhipu AI, Microsoft has been actively developing AI agents since early 2024. These agents, initially targeted as enterprise productivity tools, are now being aimed at consumers to help manage digital life.
Anthropic PBC
Anthropic PBC is a tech giant that has been described as racing to introduce its own AI agents. These agents, initially marketed as enterprise productivity tools, are now being targeted at consumers, aiming to help users manage their digital lives more intuitively.
Baidu Inc.
Baidu Inc. is one of the global tech giants that has actively introduced its own AI agents since early 2024. These AI agents, initially targeted as enterprise productivity tools, are now being marketed to consumers to assist with various digital tasks.
Lenovo Group Ltd.
Lenovo Group Ltd. is among the tech giants, including Google, Microsoft, Anthropic, Baidu, and Zhipu AI, that have been actively introducing their own AI agents since early 2024. These companies are now targeting consumers with AI agents designed to help manage digital life and complete multi-step tasks.
Zhipu AI
Zhipu AI, a Beijing-based tech company, is one of the firms that launched its own AI agents since early 2024. These agents, initially marketed as enterprise productivity tools, are now also being aimed at consumers to help manage digital life.
Beijing Butterfly Effect Technology Co. Ltd.
Beijing Butterfly Effect Technology Co. Ltd. (北京蝶变科技有限责任公司) developed the general-purpose AI agent Manus. Manus gained global recognition in March of this year as the first truly autonomous AI agent to reach the mainstream. It can independently perform complex tasks like filtering resumes and analyzing stocks. FutureX Capital, an investment firm, has backed the team behind Manus.
IBM
Hans Dekkers, General Manager of IBM Asia Pacific, expressed confidence in the global AI industry. He believes there is sufficient room for multiple large language models (LLMs) and thousands of domain-specific smaller models trained on proprietary enterprise data. Dekkers also highlighted the opportunity in integrating various AI agents into a single platform, addressing the current issue of siloed organizations using different software and creating their own AI agents.
Carro
Carro is a Southeast Asian online car marketplace. Its CEO, Aaron Tan, emphasized the importance of trust in AI adoption, likening it to the gradual acceptance of autonomous driving systems. He also noted the need to reassure employees that AI aims to enhance efficiency, not replace jobs.
Pony.ai Inc.
Pony.ai Inc. is a Chinese autonomous driving firm. Its CFO, Wang Haojun, stated that in autonomous driving, safety is a public and regulatory concern, not just a technical one. He emphasized that widespread adoption will face resistance without real-world data proving autonomous driving is significantly safer than human driving.
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What Happened When
Early 2024:
Global tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, Anthropic, Baidu, Lenovo, and Zhipu AI began racing to introduce their own AI agents.
2024:
China's humanoid robot market was valued at about 1% of $40 billion (i.e., $400 million), according to a Morgan Stanley report cited in the article.
From 2023 to 2025:
FutureX Capital has invested in 60 AI companies across China and the U.S. over the past two and a half years, with 70% of them already profitable.
March 2025:
The general-purpose AI agent Manus, developed by Beijing Butterfly Effect Technology, captured global attention as the first truly autonomous AI agent to enter the mainstream.
September 11, 2025:
Panel discussion at the Asia New Vision Forum 2025, where industry experts discussed the early stage of the AI and humanoid robotics industry and its investment potential.
As of September 2025:
Many companies began small-scale market entries for humanoid robotics; mass production is expected to start in 2026.
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