A dumpling shop becomes a poster child of AI adoption in China

A dumpling shop in Beijing has become a symbol of artificial intelligence (AI) integration into everyday business operations in China. The shop, named Jinguyuan, has gained national attention after its owner, Li Bo, developed an AI-powered system that allows customers to interact with their personal AI assistants to access the shop's menu, receive food recommendations, and reserve a spot in the queue. This innovation marks one of the earliest known examples of a small business leveraging AI to streamline customer service and enhance user experience. Li Bo, 41, introduced the AI skill in April, capitalizing on the rising trend of agentic AI tools, software capable of performing complex tasks autonomously. He envisioned a scenario where individuals would rely on AI assistants to manage both professional and personal aspects of their lives, including dining choices. His goal was to position Jinguyuan as a pioneer in this emerging digital landscape. Li cited Deng Xiaoping, the former Chinese leader whose policies initiated China’s rapid economic growth, saying, “Science and technology are a primary productive force. You always need to surround yourself with the most advanced productive force.” This sentiment reflects a broader cultural attitude in China, where AI is viewed not merely as a technological advancement but as an essential component of progress. Unlike in many Western nations, where AI often sparks concerns over job displacement and ethical issues, China embraces the technology with enthusiasm. According to a 2025 survey conducted by the public opinion firm Ipsos, Chinese citizens showed the highest level of excitement about AI compared to other countries surveyed. This optimism is evident in the proliferation of online courses on large language models and the eagerness of office workers to integrate AI tools into their routines to stay competitive. Li Bo’s journey into AI began during his studies in telecommunications engineering at the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications. After earning his master’s degree in 2010, he chose a different path from his peers, working in hostels and selling homemade desserts before partnering with a dumpling chef to open Jinguyuan. Over the years, he has remained engaged with technological advancements, particularly since the rise of AI. Beyond the AI skill, Li has implemented additional technologies to improve his business. He created a website using Alibaba’s coding tool Qoder to track the queue status at Jinguyuan’s two locations. In July, he collaborated with an AI cloud provider to offer each customer a token coupon worth 10 yuan ($1.50) redeemable for model subscriptions, further integrating AI into the customer experience. Despite the media attention his AI initiative has garnered, Li acknowledges that practical usage is still limited. However, he remains committed to promoting AI adoption, believing that early experimentation is crucial for long-term success. “Someone needs to start using it, even when it’s not that good,” he remarked, drawing a parallel to the initial skepticism surrounding the invention of the steam engine. “When steam engines just came out, people joked that they were not as good as horses. But in the end, cars won out.” As AI continues to evolve, businesses like Jinguyuan are likely to play a pivotal role in shaping its application in daily life. With increasing support from both consumers and entrepreneurs, the integration of AI into small-scale enterprises signals a transformative shift in how technology influences commerce and society.