Dazzling Chinese AI debuts mask growing pains

Shanghai-based AI startup MiniMax's CEO Yan Junjie (right) and Co-founder and COO Yun Yeyi attend the firm's listing ceremony at the Hong Kong stock exchange on Jan. 9. | AFP-JIJI Hong Kong - Investor confidence in Chinese AI startups is riding high, but obstacles to their long-term success range from U.S. export controls to the puzzle of how to become profitable. This month, two leading players in China's artificial intelligence industry, Zhipu AI and MiniMax, made dazzling debuts on the Hong Kong stock exchange. The pair are part of a wave of rapidly growing Chinese AI tigers spurred by another startup, DeepSeek, whose low-cost AI model, on par with U.S. rivals, stunned the world a year ago. In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right. With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories.