Digital News

　　Efficient and convenient AI doctors, thoughtful and intelligent elderly care robots, “one-click” smart homes, and immersive cultural tourism experiences… According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, total retail sales of consumer goods reached 24.55 trillion yuan in the first half of this year, reflecting a 5% year-on-year growth. Despite external shocks and uncertainties, science and technology continue to play a key role in driving consumption growth.

　　Recent field interviews and research conducted by the reporter of Science and Technology Daily reveal how “technology+” is continuously driving the emergence of new consumer products and scenarios while expanding the forms of consumption. Internet healthcare, intelligent elderly care, digital homes, and innovative cultural tourism have emerged as the most popular “four new trends,” reaching thousands of households

　　Internet Healthcare: Advancing Towards Precision and Accessibility

　　In the “doctorless” consultation room, a patient sits in the doctor’s usual seat, while the AI doctor conducts the consultation methodically on a computer screen.

　　This isn’t a scene from a science fiction film; it’s happening in real life.

　　In November last year, Tsinghua University’s “Zijing AI Doctor” diagnostic system was launched. 42 AI doctors from various departments were introduced, offering diagnoses for over 300 diseases across 21 medical specialties.

　　Advanced AI technology brings a distinct technological edge to the consultation process. The “Zijing AI Doctor” operates around the clock in the virtual world, diagnosing tens of thousands of “patients” in just a few days, while continuously evolving and improving itself. After treating nearly 10,000 virtual patients, the evolved AI doctor reached a peak diagnostic accuracy of 93.06% in respiratory diseases.

　　Digital technologies, represented by AI and surgical robots, are revolutionizing healthcare speed and precision. With information technology at its core, modern science and technology are empowering traditional healthcare systems, fostering an optimized ecosystem for big health and medical care.

　　At Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, a pelvic reduction robot has successfully performed one of the world’s most complex surgeries, helping a 13-year-old girl regain her health. At Fangxing Community Hospital in Baohe District, Hefei City, Anhui Province, the robot called “Smart Doctor Assistant” supports doctors by generating medication recommendations for complementary diagnoses. In a rural health center in Fangcheng County, Nanyang City, Henan Province, the “Dajing TCM Smart Diagnostic and Treatment Assistance System” offers treatment recommendations based on the clinical experiences of renowned TCM practitioners, enabling patients to easily access high-quality diagnosis and treatment…

　　According to the 55th Statistical Report on China’s Internet Development released by the China Internet Network Information Center, as of December 2024, China had 418 million users of Internet healthcare, taking up 37.7% of all netizens.

　　According to the 2025-2030 In-Depth Research and Future Development Forecast Report on the Internet Hospital Industry released by Zero Power Intelligence, it is projected that by 2030, the market size of Internet hospitals will exceed 1.2 trillion yuan, accounting for 15% of the country’s total healthcare expenditure. The share of Internet-based consultations will reach 40%, AI doctors will handle 80% of initial consultations, and the pharmaceutical e-commerce market will surpass 1.5 trillion yuan.

　　“Technologies such as AI, big data, and 5G have lowered the barriers to digital healthcare and fueled the growing interest in digital health consumption. The rise of smart healthcare is expected to play a key role in addressing the current contradiction between supply and demand in medical care, as well as the unbalanced allocation of resources,” said Chen Liteng, a digital life analyst at the E-commerce Research Center of 100EC.cn. In the future, technology will continue to reshape the digital healthcare market, with advancements and policy support fueling ongoing industry growth. By attracting new users across all age groups, it will unlock even greater consumption potential.

　　Intelligent Elderly Care: Moving Towards a Better Quality of Life

　　At the “Yishihao Smart Canteen” in the Jingyue High-tech Zone of Changchun, a robot takes on the role of head chef. With its robotic arm precisely adding ingredients and seasoning, stirring and frying, a fragrant dish is served hot and ready in less than five minutes.

　　Zhang Hai, aged 66, chooses his dish and places the plate on the pickup line. The screen immediately displays information such as the dish’s nutritional content, calorie count, weight, and price.

　　“The smart robot independently completes the entire cooking process, ensuring consistent quality and quick service,” said Qu Yan, the restaurant manager. The dishes are light and healthy, with soft textures that are easy to digest, meeting the health needs of elderly people.

　　As the global population aging accelerates, China’s senior population (aged 60 and above) has surpassed 300 million, making up 22% of the nation’s total population. The silver economy is now facing unprecedented growth opportunities. In this context, scientific and technological innovation has become the driving force behind the upgrade of the silver industry. From intelligent care assistants and AI-driven emotional companions to drone-assisted elderly care services and smart health management, science and technology are comprehensively reshaping the quality of life for seniors.

　　In the home of 73-year-old retired worker Mr. Duan in Haidian District, Beijing, his companion robot, “Xiao Li,” wakes him up every morning on schedule, delivers the latest news and weather updates, and keeps him company while he reads and takes exercise…

　　In the mountains of Tonglu County, Zhejiang Province, drones are creating a new network for smart elderly care. Drones deliver “hot meals” one by one, precisely to the hands of elderly residents living in the mountains, effectively solving the meal delivery challenges they face. This is a vivid example of how technology is empowering elderly care, set against the backdrop of lush mountains and clear waters.

　　According to data from the State Taxation Administration, the silver economy’s potential has continued to grow this year. In the first quarter, sales revenue from elderly care services surged by 65.5% year-on-year. Meanwhile, sales of health monitoring devices, such as smart bands, blood pressure monitors, and blood glucose meters, increased by 41.6% year-on-year, underscoring the profound impact of digital and intelligent technologies on the health consumption industry.

　　“With the accelerated integration of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and brain-computer interfaces, technology-driven elderly care consumption is becoming more and more prevalent,” said Xing Xinzhu, associate researcher at the Institute for Smart Ageing, Beijing Academy of Science and Technology.

　　“The widespread adoption of IoT, 5G, and AI technologies has driven down the cost of smart devices, facilitating the penetration of products such as companion robots, care robots, and intelligent assisted care devices into the consumer market,” analyzed Xing Xinzhu. He further noted that intelligent rehabilitation, AI-assisted care, and smart health and wellness travel will be new consumption trends, promoting the shift in the silver generation’s consumption model from “passively receiving elderly care services” to “actively embracing aging and enjoying elderly care services.”

　　SmartHomes: Transforming Towards the Internet of Everything (IoE)

　　During this year’s National Two Sessions, Zhou Yunjie, Chairman and CEO of Haier Group, unexpectedly gained widespread attention and popularity at the start of the year, thanks to an endorsement from Lei Jun, Chairman of Xiaomi Corporation.

　　Haier’s scientific and technological innovations enabled it to attract a massive surge of attention.

　　Take Haier’s fully automatic range hood as an example. It incorporates optical smoke detection technology and AI-powered pressure boost to identify different cooking methods and monitor the pressure in the shared exhaust duct, automatically adjusting the airflow. In Chengdu, Sichuan, Ms. Wang, a resident of Languang Lecaicheng, no longer needs to worry about cooking fumes, thanks to Haier’s fully automatic range hood.

　　As of now, Haier has filed over 113,000 patents worldwide, led or participated in the release of 120 international standards, and seen over 200 of its original technologies being replicated within the industry. By leveraging its robust “Technology+” support, Haier Smart Home recorded remarkable sales during the recent “618” shopping festival, achieving strong results across several home appliance categories, including refrigerators, washing machines, water heaters, and freezers.

　　Not only are individual products becoming smarter, but the wave of scientific and technological innovation is also driving the rise of fully connected smart homes, where all scenarios are seamlessly integrated, and everything is interconnected, painting a brand-new picture of digital living space.

　　Shenzhen’s Longgang District is implementing a pilot program for full-home intelligence in approximately 7,000 affordable housing units across six communities. The intelligent central control panels allow for a “visual intercom” and ensure seamless connectivity among various home appliances.

　　In Goujiao Community, Chengyang District, Qingdao, the digital home intelligence system seamlessly brings together all the smart devices in the home. Homeowners can control the air conditioner, TV, and curtains with a simple tap on their phone, while also paying utility bills and making requests for property maintenance without leaving their homes.

　　“As AI-driven emotional interaction, scenario-based integration, and green energy-saving technologies continue to evolve, an increasing number of young consumers are shifting their focus in household consumption toward the digital and intelligent transformation of entire living spaces,” said Li Renge, Director of the Innovation Research and Development Institute at China Construction Science and Industry Corporation (CSCEC Science and Industry).

　　Currently, China’s digital and smart home appliances are leading innovation globally, attracting a vast overseas following, with product exports soaring despite global challenges. On June 9, the General Administration of Customs of China released the National Export Volume and Value Report for Key Commodities in May 2025, revealing that from January to May 2025, China’s home appliance exports totaled 1,842.534 million units, a 6.1% year-on-year increase, with a value of approximately 41 billion US dollars. Many companies have shared that they’re overwhelmed with orders and can’t keep up.

　　“From the functional improvement of individual home appliances to one-stop home decoration solutions, and now to the convenience of full-home digital intelligence, innovations in technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and big data are driving product upgrades and transforming business models, creating a new growth engine for consumption,” said Li Renge. According to his prediction, in the next decade, digital smart homes will be adopted in over 90% of new residential buildings and extend to the renovation of old residential communities.

　　Innovative Cultural Tourism: A Breakthrough Towards Immersive Experiences

　　With the arrival of July, the summer tourism peak has officially begun. As expected, Dunhuang’s tourism is experiencing a steady rise.

　　As a “Dunhuang enthusiast,” Wang Yongliang, an elderly man from Pingliang, Gansu, enjoys the habit of gently tapping his phone screen to virtually “travel” to the breathtaking murals that date back over 1,400 years.

　　“With just my phone, I can now access the Digital Dunhuang platform and view the murals of Cave 285 in stunning 4K resolution from the comfort of my home. I can even virtually ‘step into’ the Library Cave and relive that piece of history,” said Wang Yongliang.

　　Technological innovation is the core support for Digital Dunhuang. The Dunhuang Academy leverages cutting-edge technologies such as 3D modeling, VR scenes, game engine physics rendering, and global dynamic lighting to deliver a more immersive, engaging, and interactive digital cultural experience.

　　From “viewing the scenery” to “stepping into the painting,” immersive cultural tourism is injecting strong vitality into the consumer market. From the immersive night tour of Slender West Lake to the 5D live-action performance The Romantic Show of Guangdong, from the technological recreation of the Shopping Street of the Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan) in Beijing to the VR immersive exhibit Adventure in Sanxingdui, when technology meets “China-chic,” immersive experiences have become the new trend in the cultural tourism market. Impression · Mazu, created by Fujian Sanxiang Impression, combines AR and CNC mist curtain technology, generating 30 million yuan in revenue during its debut quarter, with audience engagement increasing by 60%.

　　In 2024, the cultural tourism industry, with digitalization at its core, generated a total revenue of 5,890.2 billion yuan, reflecting a 9.8% growth compared to the previous year. Interactive digital immersive technologies, such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), and various sensors, have transcended the limitations of time and space, fulfilling tourists’ increasing demand for immersive cultural experiences.

　　“Modern cultural tourism turns audiences from passive observers into active participants in the story. This level of engagement breathes new life into cultural experiences,” said Song Yangyang, Deputy Director of the Creative Industry Technology Research Institute at Renmin University of China.

　　“In the future, we will see highly customized immersive cultural tourism consumption scenarios,” said Song Yangyang. “At that time, consumers’ behaviors and individual preferences will be seamlessly aligned, and the deep integration of technology and cultural tourism will provide smarter, more personalized experiences.”

　　Technologies such as big data, AI agents, and IoT are transitioning from high-end, precision, and cutting-edge innovations to practical solutions that meet the essential needs of everyday life. National strategies and business development are perfectly aligned, creating a symphony of technological innovation, industry revitalization, and product upgrades,   fueling a vibrant and dynamic consumption market. With the deep integration of technological and industrial innovation, the “four new trends” in consumption will continue to evolve, becoming smarter, more user-friendly, and more sustainable, serving as a key engine for high-quality economic and social development.