30 Under 30 – AI Dreamers: Young Engineers Transforming China’s Startup Scene
How Li Qiang, a 25-year-old AI entrepreneur, is building smart healthcare tools for China’s hospitals.
📝 By Dr. Alan Hughes | Telecoms & Space Policy Analyst
Growing Up in the Age of AI
Li Qiang (25) was born in Shenzhen, a city that transformed from fishing village to tech powerhouse within a generation. Surrounded by innovation, Li grew up fascinated by how machines could think. As a teenager, he coded chatbots in his school dormitory; by university, he was winning AI competitions across Guangdong.
“Shenzhen taught me one lesson,” he says. “In China, dreams and algorithms both scale fast.”
Founding NeoAI
At 23, Li co-founded NeoAI, a startup focused on AI-driven diagnostic tools for provincial hospitals. Many rural clinics struggle with a shortage of specialists. NeoAI’s platform uses machine learning to analyze scans for conditions like pneumonia and early-stage cancer, giving local doctors decision support.
The system is designed with low computing requirements, making it affordable for hospitals outside Beijing and Shanghai. In its first two years, NeoAI partnered with 70 hospitals across Hunan, Sichuan, and Henan.
AI with Chinese Characteristics
Li emphasizes that NeoAI is not just copying Silicon Valley. “Western AI startups chase consumer apps,” he explains. “We are building tools for 民生 (people’s livelihood).” His philosophy echoes China’s national strategy of using AI to strengthen healthcare, agriculture, and education.
One standout project involved training NeoAI’s algorithms in Chinese dialect datasets, ensuring accurate diagnosis for local patients who may not speak Mandarin fluently. This cultural sensitivity has made the platform especially effective in rural areas.
Challenges and Recognition
Startups in China face tough competition and regulatory scrutiny. Li admits raising funds was difficult, but NeoAI gained traction after winning a Shanghai Innovation Grant in 2022.
Recognition followed: he was listed in Forbes China 30 Under 30 – Technology and featured in People’s Daily Youth Innovators column. Yet, Li insists his proudest moment was when a rural doctor in Guizhou said, “Your AI saved a child’s life here.”
Inspiring a Generation
Li Qiang also mentors student teams in coding clubs, telling them that AI is not an elite field. He often uses the story of Zu Chongzhi, the ancient Chinese mathematician, to remind students that scientific brilliance is part of China’s heritage.
“China has always had innovators,” he says. “Today, our job is to write that story in code.”
Looking Forward
NeoAI is now piloting AI + telemedicine integration, connecting rural clinics with urban specialists. Li’s vision is that no patient in China should be denied quality healthcare because of their postal code.
On his desk, he keeps a red notebook inscribed with “科技报国 (serve the nation through science & technology).” For Li, it’s not just a motto—it’s a mission.
A New Face of China’s AILi Qiang’s story reflects a generation of Chinese youth who see AI not as a buzzword but as a tool to solve real problems. His dream is simple yet ambitious: “If an algorithm can save a life, then our code has meaning.”
