The 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) is making headlines this week, not just for its scale—spanning 85 countries and nearly 2,000 companies—but for the futuristic technologies redefining how services are delivered across sectors. And leading the charge? A four-legged robot dog with a nose for danger.
Outfitted with a bright yellow methane detection probe, the robot dog patrols residential compounds sniffing out gas leaks. Developed by Beijing Gas Group Co., Ltd., the AI-powered canine is more than a novelty—it’s a mobile safety inspector. “It can be programmed with inspection routes and key checkpoints,” said Zhang Shenyan, senior R&D engineer at the company. “It’s designed to enhance community safety through autonomous patrols.”
But this mechanical mutt is just one of many AI marvels captivating crowds at CIFTIS. In the health services pavilion, visitors lined up to consult with an AI diagnostic robot developed by Trizen. Using large-model technology and real-world case data, the system can perform traditional Chinese medicine diagnostics—pulse reading, facial analysis, and even tongue inspection. Founder Xue Chong revealed plans for a home-use version, bringing AI healthcare directly into living rooms.
In the environmental services zone, He Mu Ecology showcased its eco-dredging robot, capable of cleaning chemical tanks and urban waterways via remote control. Nearby, QuantaEye Technologies unveiled a floating “water scout” that monitors over ten water quality parameters in real time, already deployed in Beijing’s rivers and lakes.
Meanwhile, the culture and tourism zone offered mixed reality (MR) experiences through wearable devices, allowing users to explore heritage sites in immersive virtual environments. In education, AI-powered systems for child development combined health tracking, tutoring, and physical activity monitoring into one integrated platform.
Experts say the surge in AI applications reflects a broader transformation in global trade. “AI is reshaping service formats and business models,” said Liang Zheng, vice dean of the Institute for AI International Governance at Tsinghua University. “It’s reducing costs and barriers while unlocking new possibilities through personalization and automation.”
Ouyang Rihui of the China Center for Internet Economy Research added that digital intelligence is fueling a wave of service consumption, with AI products now deeply embedded in daily life.
This year’s theme—“Embrace Intelligent Technologies, Empower Trade in Services”—is more than a slogan. It’s a vision of a future where robots, algorithms, and immersive tech redefine how we live, heal, learn, and protect our communities.
CIFTIS runs through September 14, continuing to draw global attention as a showcase of AI’s transformative power in the service economy.
