China’s ‘AI tigers’ see shares surge after Nvidia CEO touts OpenClaw as ‘next ChatGPT’
On March 17, 2026, Chinese artificial intelligence stocks witnessed a significant surge following positive remarks made by Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang regarding the potential of OpenClaw, an emerging AI technology. This article explores the implications of Huang’s comments and the rising prominence of Chinese AI companies, often referred to as “AI tigers.”
Jensen Huang’s Remarks on OpenClaw
During the NVIDIA GTC global AI conference held in San Jose, California, Jensen Huang described OpenClaw as “definitely the next ChatGPT.” He emphasized that this open-source AI agent represents a transformative advancement in the capabilities of AI, enabling users to achieve more complex tasks and interactions.
Impact on Chinese AI Stocks
Following Huang’s endorsement, shares of several Chinese AI companies surged. Notably, Minimax and Zhipu, two of the leading firms in China’s AI landscape, experienced substantial increases in their stock prices, rising by 22% and 14% respectively in Hong Kong. These companies are at the forefront of developing large language models aimed at competing with established players like OpenAI and Anthropic.
Minimax and Zhipu: Key Players in AI Development
Minimax and Zhipu are recognized as part of China’s “AI tigers,” a term used to describe innovative companies that are rapidly advancing in the field of artificial intelligence. Both firms have been actively integrating OpenClaw into their product offerings and have recently launched new tools built on this platform.
Zhipu’s GLM-5 Model
In a significant development, Zhipu unveiled GLM-5, an open-source large language model that boasts enhanced coding capabilities and support for extended agent-based tasks. The company claims that GLM-5’s performance is comparable to Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4.5 in coding benchmarks and even surpasses Google’s Gemini 3 Pro in certain tests. However, these claims have not been independently verified by CNBC.
Broader Market Trends in AI
Other companies in the AI sector also experienced gains following Huang’s comments. SenseTime, which has shifted its focus from facial recognition technology to AI software platforms, saw its shares rise by 2.43%. Similarly, UCloud Technology, a cloud computing firm listed in Shanghai, advanced by 13% as the market reacted positively to the growing interest in AI technologies.
The State of AI Adoption in China
According to a recent note from Moody’s, China’s rapid adoption of artificial intelligence solidifies its status as one of the world’s leading AI markets. However, the pace of adoption varies significantly across different sectors. Large technology firms are leading the way in advanced AI integration, while consumer and industrial companies are adopting these technologies more selectively, primarily to enhance operational efficiency.
Sector Variability in AI Adoption
- Technology Sector: Major tech companies are at the forefront of AI integration, driving innovation and investment.
- Consumer Sector: Adoption is more cautious, with companies focusing on specific applications to improve efficiency.
- Industrial Sector: Similar to the consumer sector, industrial companies are selectively integrating AI technologies.
Global Implications and Future Prospects
The excitement surrounding AI technologies is not limited to China. Other tech stocks across Asia also saw gains following Huang’s optimistic outlook on future purchase orders between Blackwell and Vera Rubin, which he predicts could reach $1 trillion by 2027. Notable increases included SK Hynix, which gained nearly 9%, and Samsung Electronics, which added 7.53% to its stock price.
Conclusion
The recent surge in Chinese AI stocks following Jensen Huang’s remarks highlights the growing importance of AI technologies in the global market. As companies like Minimax and Zhipu continue to innovate and develop competitive products, the landscape of artificial intelligence is likely to evolve rapidly. The varying rates of adoption across sectors indicate a complex environment where technology firms lead the charge while other industries adapt at their own pace.
Note: The information presented in this article is based on reports and statements available as of March 2026. The claims regarding AI models and their performance have not been independently verified.
