I've been a product manager at one of China's biggest tech firms. Here's how Chinese AI products are built differently. (www.businessinsider.com)

Yilin Zhang, a former product manager at Meituan, shares insights into the distinctive approaches to AI product development in China compared to the West. Notably, he highlights that Chinese tech firms, driven by intense domestic competition, prioritize cost efficiency and rapid iteration, leading to the creation of mass-market AI products that are often free and designed for quick user interaction, such as chat interfaces. This contrasts with Western products, which cater to high-value tasks and often feature more complex interfaces tailored to professional environments. Zhang also emphasizes a shift towards entrepreneurship in China's tech landscape, as an increasing number of graduates explore opportunities in AI startups rather than seeking stability within larger companies. This change reflects a growing recognition of AI's central role in the future economy, with the expectation that by 2025, involvement in AI will be crucial for relevance in the tech industry. The market dynamics and user expectations in China foster a unique environment for AI development, which could influence global trends as innovation continues to unfold across different regions.