Robots, chips and China: The new frontier for investment opportunities

Investment in robotics is projected to grow by 7 per cent each year until 2026, as a record number of industrial robots have been introduced in recent years, according to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).

Ahead of her appearance at the upcoming Australian Wealth Management Summit, Dr Marina Yue Zhang, associate professor at Australia-China Relations Institute, University of Technology Sydney, said advancements in these emerging technologies present unique investment opportunities.

“AI algorithms powered by advanced semiconductors are turning pattern-spotting into a real-time commodity,” Dr Zhang said.

As technological innovation – combined with labour shortages – drive growth of AI and robotics, potential investment opportunities are emerging in semiconductor manufacturing.

In fact, many companies are increasing investment in warehouse robotics for tasks such as making orders, picking, sorting and packaging – with the market forecast to grow to $25 billion by 2028.

“They shorten decision cycles, broaden alternative datasets and shift value from traditional stock picking to infrastructure selecting – owning the picks and shovels of the new compute economy, while robotics automates both front and back office workflows,” she said.

China is a key market leading global AI development, according to Dr Zhang.

Named one of the five “AI pioneers” in a BCG study spanning 73 global economies, China is leading global development across the sector.

“Beijing is pivoting from ‘world’s factory for products’ to ‘world’s factory for algorithms’. Its AI-first industrial policy links sovereign cloud platforms with hardware self-reliance,” she said.

This rewires global supply chains: upstream demand for critical minerals soars, midstream assembly migrates to ASEAN, and downstream competition in electric vehicles and robotics intensifies in Europe and Latin America, according to Dr Zhang.

“For investors, although China’s move spans the entire value chain, it opens niches in enabling software, ESG-grade minerals and cross-border data services,” she added.

Dr Zhang will join other leaders from Betashares and Main Sequence for a panel discussion on investing in the intelligence economy through the lens of China’s sector dominance.

To hear Dr Marina Yue Zhang speak further on investment in emerging technologies, come along to the Australian Wealth Management Summit 2025.

Run in partnership with principal partner, Metrics, the summit will take place on Friday, 22 August 2025 at Sofitel Sydney Wentworth. Click here to buy tickets.

To learn more about the summit, including the agenda and speakers, click here.