Cui Li Discusses AI Agent Transformations at AI Innovation Asia 2025
At the AI Innovation Asia 2025 event organized by Economist Impact, ZTE Corporation’s Chief Development Officer, Cui Li, delivered a compelling speech that highlighted the transformative power of AI agents in business. During a panel discussion focused on the role of AI in enhancing customer experiences, Li articulated ZTE's strategic vision for integrating AI technologies to fundamentally reshape interactions between businesses and their customers.
One of the core topics of the discussion was how AI agents redefine the user experience—not just through improving interfaces but also enhancing responsiveness and collaborative design. Li elaborated on ZTE's commitment to the philosophy of "AI for All," emphasizing the integration of AI agents across four critical domains: networks, computing, homes, and personal devices. By developing advanced autonomous networks and utilizing technologies such as Nebula Telecom Large Model, Big Data, and Digital Twin, ZTE has made significant strides in improving operational efficiencies. For instance, through a collaborative project with China Mobile, they developed multi-agent systems capable of identifying network issues autonomously, reducing troubleshooting times by an impressive 47%.
Addressing the strategic transformation driven by AI agents, Cui Li spoke about the importance of building resilience and adaptability in business amidst the current climate of uncertainty. She emphasized that organizations must focus on balancing stability while remaining agile enough to embrace rapid changes in the market. According to Li, the typical corporate structure should evolve from a mechanical operation to an organic and adaptable organization, highlighting that successful AI integration requires continuous investment and a long-term commitment.
Moreover, she stressed that organizations must approach AI implementation as a long-term commitment rather than a quick fix. Successful digital transformation precedes intelligent operation; without foundational digital infrastructure, companies cannot leverage AI for resilience and adaptability. This evaluation reflects ZTE's own journey, which began in 2016 with a focus on digital infrastructure, followed by a stride towards intelligent transformation in 2022. The company’s experiences illustrate the need for systematic planning, consistent investment, and an unwavering focus on real-world application scenarios.
Li also warned of the potential pitfalls associated with the growing autonomy of AI systems in decision-making. She contended that human involvement remains crucial in tasks such as design, oversight, and decision-making. The empowerment of AI should not instill fear of obsolescence in the workforce; rather, it should prompt a rethinking of roles within organizations, aiming for a synergistic relationship between human intelligence and machine processing.
As the dialogue progressed, topics included the transition from task-based automation to integrated business partners powered by agent AI. Cui Li depicted a vision where these agents could evolve into proactive digital collaborators—linking workflows, executing cognitive processes, and even self-improving over time. However, she cautioned that while experiments in controlled environments yield positive outcomes, the complexity of real-world applications poses numerous challenges.
Observations regarding the rapid development of AI technologies affirm that tools like Gemini 3 are setting new standards in AI capability through enhanced multimodal understanding and reasoning abilities. For companies, integrating AI signifies a holistic shift—not merely connecting APIs but fundamentally reshaping operational processes. To prepare for this wave of transformation, Li advised businesses to develop long-term, adaptive strategies anchored in quality, industry-specific scenarios that guide rapid iterations and allow organizations to master AI capabilities.
In conclusion, the AI Innovation Asia 2025 event served as a pivotal platform that gathered industry leaders, technology pioneers, and policymakers to discuss the commercialization of cutting-edge technologies and their implications for sustainable digital transformation. Through insights shared by Cui Li and other experts at the conference, it is clear you cannot underestimate the significance of AI agents in shaping future business landscapes, ensuring that organizations remain competitive and innovative in an ever-evolving global market.