TCL founder and Chairman Li Dongsheng has emphasized that artificial intelligence (AI) does not emerge in a vacuum, stating that the digital systems companies have built over many years serve as the essential infrastructure for implementing AI applications.

Speaking at a forum, Li outlined that TCL's AI strategy concentrates on two primary areas. The first involves integrating AI into advanced manufacturing systems, which has led to notable gains in production efficiency, improvements in process quality, and a significant acceleration in product development cycles. The second focus is on leveraging AI to construct more efficient digital and intelligent systems, thereby holistically enhancing the company's competitive strength. He also highlighted the vast potential for AI application in consumer electronics, driven by the widespread adoption of smart devices.

Regarding AI's penetration into daily business operations, Li acknowledged that AI has become deeply embedded in every facet of corporate management. He noted that for executives, discussions on business strategy now inevitably involve considerations of AI technology.

Li Dongsheng stressed that a robust digital system is the foundational prerequisite for AI adoption, asserting that discussing AI applications without this infrastructure is like building a structure on sand—inherently unstable.

From a broader manufacturing industry perspective, Li believes the primary value of AI lies in boosting corporate innovation capabilities and competitiveness. It also enables the creation of entirely new product categories, such as advanced robotics, forecasting an explosive growth phase for AI-powered products in the future. Addressing the high investment pressures faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) during AI transformation, he called on larger corporations to not only develop their own AI capabilities but also to help elevate the AI application levels across their entire supply chains and partner networks, fostering a mutually beneficial ecosystem.

On the topic of global AI governance and cooperation, Li Dongsheng pointed out that the worldwide application of AI technology requires concerted efforts from all nations and the establishment of unified international standards.