China makes the future feel normal 🇨🇳🤖
By Sander SaarPublished Updated Length
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China makes the future feel normal 🇨🇳🤖
This video examines modern technology and infrastructure in China. It details the widespread adoption of digital payments through WeChat Pay and Alipay, as well as rapid delivery systems and service robots in hotels and retail. The presenter also highlights drone deliveries in Shenzhen, electric public transportation, high-speed trains, and the cultural optimism surrounding AI alongside futuristic city architecture.
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Chapter summaries
Cashless payments and rapid delivery
The presenter highlights how China has transitioned entirely to digital payments like WeChat Pay and Alipay, making cards obsolete and enabling ultra-fast delivery services.
On screenThe presenter speaks outside a modern mall before showing mobile payment screens, food stalls scanning codes, robot coffee kiosks, and couriers in yellow uniforms.
Everyday robots and drone deliveries
The video explores the widespread presence of autonomous service robots in hotels and stores, as well as operational drone food delivery in Shenzhen parks.
On screenThe presenter stands near a DJI store, followed by footage of hotel delivery robots, robotic arms making coffee, and drones landing on food pickup kiosks.
Public transportation and electric transit
Quiet city streets feature electric scooters and cars, complemented by high-speed bullet trains, extensive metro systems, and abundant shared bike lanes.
On screenCommuters on electric scooters wait at intersections, high-speed train carriages travel at 344 km/h, and the host cycles along designated bike paths lined with shared bicycles.
AI optimism and futuristic architecture
Technology and AI are promoted positively across museums and schools, framed by sci-fi architectural skylines in cities like Shenzhen and Beijing.
On screenVisitors explore interactive exhibits in modern science museums, followed by sweeping views of futuristic skyscrapers along city waterfronts and illuminated street storefronts.
Transcript
In China, the future of tech feels more like every day rather than coming someday. Here are 5 things that I noticed during my trip. First, there's payments and commerce. There's absolutely zero cash or cards. As somebody said, it's like a 100-year-old technology. Using credit cards is funny for locals. From street vendors to museum tickets to vending machines to a high-end restaurant, it doesn't matter. WePay, Alipay are accepted everywhere. On metro and trains, you can even use Apple Pay with foreign payments. It's all on your phone, and super apps really work.
Food, rides, small business chat. While we're just getting started in the Western world, this is the default here for years. And even the 70-year-old grandparents use it. There was no other way. And through those apps, you get immediate fast delivery. It takes usually 1 to 2 days for even the smallest stores, and most of the daily necessities are delivered within 15 to 30 minutes. Amazon Prime really feels slow compared to that. Second is that the drones and robots are absolutely everywhere. From hotel lobby delivering packages and food and cleaning, to policing, to tour guides, to making barista coffee, ice cream, drawing portraits, and so on.
Some work exceptionally well, others have human assisting in the side still. And drone delivery is real. You can order in several locations in Shenzhen parks and get food and drinks delivered within 15 to 20 minutes. It's quite exciting walking around Shenzhen downtown and seeing the drones fly around. Third is identity. Your face and your phone are your ID. Boarding a train, plane, paying in a vending machine, opening and closing lockers, only carrying your phone, you can do almost anything. While it takes away some of your privacy, you also get value for it.
While other companies and governments are doing it anyway, here you can actually benefit from it as a user as well. Separately, all the tracking means that it's extremely safe in public spaces. Fourth, let's talk about public transportation and getting around. The streets are quiet. 100% of the scooters are electric and majority of the cars are electric, which feels strange coming from a big city like LA or most European large cities. There's also a fast railway network, even levitating trains. I met people who only take trains in China, which makes sense if your ride is less than 6 hours, that it's almost always faster than flying.
Metro lines are abundant in cities and faster than traffic during busy hours, and also due to the fact that there's a very limited number of car licenses in large cities. Most would have enjoyed personally are the bike lanes and how abundant the shared bike schemes are. In most European and US cities, you have to hunt down the bikes, which makes it less usable for day-to-day. The 5th thing I noticed is how AI and technology is seen as a positive change and enabler, which seems intentional. From science and technology museums to innovation centers explaining and showcasing the potential of AI and technology, all the way to integrating into K-12 education.
Not to mention the futuristic architecture in Shenzhen and parts of Beijing, while the areas that are modernized first remain Soviet style The new parts feel very sci-fi. It gives a perfect backdrop to where the city and the country is heading. Make sure to check out my other video for my favorite tech experiences and gadgets in China.