
Investors should pivot from "Generative AI" toward Agentic AI companies that focus on task execution, as these technologies are currently outpacing standard chatbots in enterprise adoption. Monitor Chinese cloud service providers and chip manufacturers, as the OpenClaw technology is driving a massive surge in high-volume token consumption and infrastructure demand. Consider increasing exposure to Chinese industrial automation and enterprise software firms, where AI agent deployment has reached a dominant 67% adoption rate. Watch for a global shift in cloud pricing models toward usage-based "token" structures, which will benefit data center operators capable of handling sustained, high-intensity workloads. U.S.-based industrial firms currently lagging in AI integration may face competitive pressure, making them potential turnaround plays if they accelerate their AI Agent investments to close the 33% adoption gap.
• OpenClaw is identified as a primary driver behind the surge in Chinese Large Language Model (LLM) performance, outpacing U.S. developments for four consecutive weeks. • The technology is categorized as an AI Agent, which differs from standard chatbots by focusing on task execution rather than just conversation. • The rise of these agents has led to a dramatic increase in token usage, which is fundamentally reshaping cloud pricing structures and the broader AI token economy in China. • The phenomenon has entered the cultural mainstream in China, referred to as "yanglongxia" (lobster farming), evidenced by the popularity of lobster-themed merchandise and plushies among tech circles.
• Monitor Token-Based Revenue: Investors should look at cloud service providers and chip manufacturers that benefit from high-volume token consumption, as AI agents like OpenClaw require significantly more compute power than simple chat interfaces. • Shift from Chat to Action: The investment opportunity is shifting from "Generative AI" (text/images) to "Agentic AI" (executing complex tasks). Companies that can successfully deploy agents at scale may see faster enterprise adoption.
• China is currently leading the U.S. in the practical application of AI within industrial settings. • 67% of Chinese industrial firms have deployed AI agents in production, nearly double the 34% adoption rate seen in U.S. firms. • This high adoption rate suggests that Chinese enterprise software and industrial automation sectors are integrating AI more aggressively into their core operations.
• Industrial Efficiency Play: The rapid deployment of AI agents in Chinese factories and firms suggests a potential leap in manufacturing productivity. Look for investment opportunities in Chinese industrial automation and enterprise software firms that are integrating these agentic workflows. • Adoption Gap: There is a significant "adoption gap" between China and the U.S. (67% vs 34%). This indicates that U.S.-based industrial firms may face competitive pressure to accelerate their AI agent investments to keep pace with Chinese efficiency gains.
• The surge in AI agent usage is causing a shift in cloud pricing models. • As AI agents execute tasks at a "massive scale," the demand for constant, high-volume data processing is becoming the new baseline for cloud infrastructure.
• Infrastructure Demand: The transition from "simple chat models" to "task-executing agents" is a bullish signal for the underlying infrastructure. This includes data centers and cloud providers capable of handling sustained, high-intensity workloads. • Pricing Model Evolution: Watch for a shift in how cloud companies charge for services—moving away from traditional subscription models toward usage-based "token" pricing to capture the value of high-intensity AI agent activity.

By @theprofgpod
NYU Professor, best-selling author, business leader and serial entrepreneur Scott Galloway cuts through the biggest stories in ...