Generation Z, or Gen Z, refer to the generation of people who have grown up alongside the development of the Internet and digital technology. Today, young people of this generation are holding posts in all walks of life. They are playing significant roles in different sectors, and they are showing young and beautiful vibes in the digital era, which highlights vigorous advancement in technology and the digital economy. On the new journey of Chinese modernization, China's Gen Z women are writing wonderful chapters, by making contributions to the progress of their country. Women of China presents the stories of five Chinese Gen Z women.
In this article, we share the story of Guo Dongni, a 1995-born engineer who serves as leader of the robotics visual and artificial intelligence research and development program under ZE CTR Robotics.
Guo Dongni, a 1995-born engineer, from central China's Hunan Province, was one of the Gen Z candidates of national-level master artisans for 2025.
Guo currently serves as leader of the robotics visual (RV) and artificial intelligence (AI) research and development (R&D) program under ZE CTR Robotics, a robotics and automation company based in Hunan's capital, Changsha. While focusing on RV and AI R&D, Guo participated in two State-level major equipment R&D programs, both of which have completed the check and acceptance procedures.
"What do you do exactly in your daily work?" Guo says she is often asked that question. She typically uses a metaphor when she replies: "My job is about the installation of 'eyes' for industrial robots."
Guo's hometown is Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province. Her parents both worked in a local automobile company. Before she entered college, Guo agreed with her parents' advice, and so she chose electrical automation as her undergraduate major.
Guo developed a strong interest in automatic control, which means the delivery of signals and instructions to make machines move and/or stretch or withdraw. She continued her postgraduate studies in Hunan University, where she majored in visual-perception algorithm. As an important component of AI technology, computer visual techniques contain image processing, pattern identification and in-depth learning, to help machines "see and understand" visual designs.
After she graduated from Hunan University, Guo stayed in the province and began working for ZE CTR Robotics. During the past five years, Guo and her colleagues have witnessed how the traditional manufacturing industry has evolved from relying on manual work to achieving automation; and, more specifically, in the past two years, from automation to digitalization and intelligentization.
"In our manufacturing plants, we normally place a big screen, on which real-time production data are displayed," Guo says. Over the next five years — the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030) — Guo has clear goals to achieve with her team. "We hope to design a black-box-like device. We will put a blueprint into the device, then it will interpret and analyze what kind of manufacturing techniques are needed. The device will 'transform' a blueprint into production data, which will be delivered to robots. The device will also capture information, timely, and analyze if the production conducted by robots is accurate enough to pass quality tests," Guo explains.
As a young woman engineer, Guo believes concentration and persistence determine what one can achieve in his/her sector. In her company, she has been leading an artisan's innovation studio, half of the members of whom are women, including three women born after 1995.
R&D work is like climbing hills. "AI technology keeps evolving. The efforts we spend on algorithm seem endless. Even if we have 'climbed over several hills,' we will sometimes find our research has returned to one of the starting points. We must keep moving on," Guo says. Women's meticulousness, patience and tenacity are crucial to conducting R&D work, she adds.
In addition to concentrating on R&D, Guo shoulders the responsibility of teaching her experiences to young students and technicians. She is a tutor with Hunan Institute of Craftsman. She has given lectures to college students, including international students from countries benefiting from Belt and Road cooperation. Guo has also recorded a course, "Installing 'Eyes' and 'Brain' for Industrial Robots," which is provided online for technicians' reference.
Guo cherishes opportunities to communicate with other young people, especially through teaching. She encourages students, who are growing together in a fast-developing era, to focus on what they are interested in, and/or what they are good at.
"For example, someone may draw slowly during the process of producing a blueprint. But their work is of high quality and in detail. Others are talented in logic, so they excel in writing codes. There are also people who are suitable for creative jobs, or who are good at summarizing others' experiences for sharing knowledge. In a team, we need someone who works at the forefront; meanwhile, we need a back-up force, too," Guo says.
She expects to see more young people work in the intelligent-manufacturing industry. "The R&D process of techniques in the intelligent-manufacturing industry is usually quite long. If young people decide to work in this field, they must take it seriously as their career goal. Artisans of the older generations have spent their whole lives concentrating on developing a certain skill. Now, it's young people's turn to receive the relay baton of working on intelligent techniques.
"Embarking on a new journey, during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, I hope myself, my team and other young people, joining the intelligent-manufacturing sector, will all adhere to our aspirations. Given our vigor and creativity, I am sure we will do our part to enable intelligent manufacturing to advance with the times," Guo concludes.
Photos from Interviewee
(Women of China English Monthly May 2026)
Editor: Wang Shasha
