A new study released at the 2026 Zhongguancun Forum has found that artificial intelligence has evolved from a simple assistive tool into a core engine reshaping global healthcare, with AI-powered medical devices now driving a fundamental shift in how life and health are managed worldwide.

The study was featured during the forum's "AI Empowering Life and Health" session on Mar 26. It was compiled by the Tsinghua University School of Healthcare Management and the Asia-Pacific Medical Technology Association. It offers the first comprehensive, forward-looking analysis of global AI medical innovation ecosystems.

The report, titled "Unlocking Al in MedTech Potential for China-Policies, Use Cases and Future Outlook", highlights how China's distinctive governance model of a centralized leadership working with local institutional innovation has enabled rapid progress in regulatory frameworks, payment mechanisms, and industrial ecosystems.

With clinical scenarios, policy support, and industrial clustering, China has built a unique AI medical landscape anchored in imaging diagnostics and expanding across multiple specialties.

Wu Jian, dean of Tsinghua's School of Healthcare Management, said the report reflects the university's commitment to multidisciplinary integration of medicine, management, engineering, and intelligence, providing practical guidance for building more efficient, high-quality, and accessible healthcare systems.

Wu You, an associate professor at the university's medical school who is the main author of the report, said, "Globally, regulatory systems for AI medical devices are converging toward faster approval and full life cycle oversight, reflecting the dynamic nature of these technologies."

"Meanwhile, both Chinese and international companies and research institutions are developing complementary strengths, and their collaboration is fostering a vibrant and fast-growing innovation ecosystem," she added.

Feng Dong, APACMed board member and Medtronic Asia-Pacific vice-president, said that China's continued policy innovation and regulatory refinement are positioning the country as a global engine for medical advancement with AI.

He added that APACMed and its nearly 60 multinational members stand ready to deepen cooperation with Chinese partners to help advanced technologies reach international markets while bringing global best practices home.

Zhang Li, chief representative of China APACMed, said: "We are deeply focused on Beijing's innovation ecosystem and are eager to engage in multiple forms of collaboration in AI and healthcare. We hope Beijing will serve as a bridgehead for innovative Chinese AI companies to go global, bringing in advanced international expertise while supporting domestic innovations to expand overseas."

"We look forward to working closely with stakeholders from government, industry, and academia to jointly build a vibrant innovation ecosystem and foster a more coordinated and integrated AI medical market across the Asia-Pacific region," she added.

The report delivers actionable policy recommendations for governments and innovators. Experts say it will serve as an important reference for building safe, effective, and sustainable AI medical device ecosystems across China and the broader Asia-Pacific region.