China is installing the most new industrial robots by far

To what extent is AI-powered infrastructure being deployed in the world?

One way to get a sense of this is by looking at the installation of industrial robots, many of which are equipped with software that makes use of artificial intelligence.

Industrial robots are automated, reprogrammable machines that perform a variety of tasks in industrial settings, such as welding and painting in car manufacturing, placing and packaging food items, and handling the silicon wafers used to make microchips for electronic devices.

The large majority of new industrial robots are being installed in China, as the chart shows. In 2023, China installed 276,000 industrial robots, nearly double the total of the next four highest countries combined.