On August 27, Gartner, a renowned provider of business and technology insights, unveiled its 2026 Hype Cycle for Data, Analytics, and Artificial Intelligence in China. According to Gartner, AI agents have eclipsed generative AI in popularity, reaching the Peak of Inflated Expectations and emerging as a primary focus for businesses. Concurrently, generative AI is gradually descending into the Trough of Disillusionment, as enterprises' expectations become more grounded and realistic.

In the meantime, embodied AI (physical AI) is emerging as a fresh focal point within the Chinese market, poised to serve as a major catalyst for groundbreaking innovations in the upcoming phase. Gartner also underscored that the success of AI initiatives increasingly hinges on foundational infrastructure, including data readiness, governance frameworks, safety measures, and engineering capabilities. The significance of these supporting elements now outweighs that of AI model technology itself.