As the soybean planting season unfolds in Russia, agricultural advancements are taking center stage, particularly in Ussuriysk. Here, sophisticated agricultural machinery featuring automatic navigation systems and artificial intelligence algorithms, developed by a Chinese company, is revolutionizing the sowing process through its precise automated operations.

Dmitry Vladimirovich Banin, a local distributor, highlighted the significance of Chinese agricultural technology, which is leading the way in innovation and intelligence. The automated systems facilitate automatic turning and precise operational activities along predefined routes, making them highly sought after in the Russian market.

This advanced navigation system was showcased at the recent 2025 China-Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Forum held in Tianjin Municipality. The event attracted participants from various SCO member states and aimed to bolster collaborative efforts in AI development and governance.

Yan Bingxin, a senior engineer at Nongxin Tianjin Technology Co., Ltd., emphasized the transformative power of AI in agriculture, stating that the company has ramped up its research and development in smart agriculture, successfully supplying numerous agricultural navigation systems to Russia.

AI is emerging as a strategic technology that is fueling a new era of scientific innovation in China. The nation has created a robust AI industrial ecosystem supported by systematic capabilities, which has begun to extend its advantages to other member states of the SCO.

Chinese AI applications are increasingly benefiting the development efforts of SCO countries, showcasing a range of innovative products, including vision-enabled pool-cleaning robots and heavy-duty robots designed for safely moving wind turbine blades.

In Kazakhstan, an AI-powered pool-cleaning robot equipped with advanced sensors and mobile app integration allows users to monitor cleaning operations remotely. This technology has gained significant popularity, prompting local distributor Vadim Vestev to order 40 units for the region.

Furthermore, heavy-duty automated guided vehicles from a Tianjin-based robotics firm are making waves in automotive manufacturing, metallurgy, and port logistics sectors within some SCO countries, illustrating the cross-border appeal of Chinese technology.

Kong Liang, vice general manager of Tianjin Lonyu Robot Co., Ltd., noted that through local talent initiatives, the company has successfully recruited graduates from Pakistan and Iran, thus enhancing overseas trade and deepening China-SCO collaboration.

Senior official Huang Ru from China's National Development and Reform Commission reaffirmed China's readiness to collaborate with other SCO nations in fostering beneficial and equitable AI development. Plans were discussed to establish an AI application center in partnership with SCO member states.

Participants at the forum underscored their dedication to broaden AI applications, advance digital economic partnerships, and deepen open innovation to exploit AI benefits for high-quality development. Oleg Kopelov, deputy secretary-general of the SCO, remarked on AI as one of the swiftest-growing areas of cooperation, advocating for enhanced AI infrastructure connectivity and academic exchanges amongst member nations.