2026 WAIC / News

World Artificial Intelligence Conference a stage for industry to thrive

China Daily | Updated:2026-07-17

The World Artificial Intelligence Conference, launched in 2018 in Shanghai, has evolved beyond a mere exhibition. It now serves as a platform to promote global AI development, opens a vital window to observe the development of China's AI industry, acts as a backbone for Shanghai's momentum in AI advancement and provides a stage for exchanging advanced technologies. It showcases the latest applications and products, fosters the growth of the industry ecosystem, and discusses new regulations and policies.

Driving force

Since its inception in 2018, the WAIC has established itself as a global industrial barometer, shaping the development of the entire sector. It has achieved outstanding results in deepening international cooperation, enhancing global AI governance and regulation and sharing AI technology achievements with the broader international community.

For instance, the WAIC 2025 not only served as a communication platform for more than 800 companies from over 90 countries and regions but showcased China's commitment to promoting AI development and governance.

The event featured the release of the Global AI Governance Action Plan, which outlined 13 practical moves. Additionally, a proposal was made to establish an organization which fosters international cooperation in guiding and regulating AI initiatives, leveraging AI for the common good of humanity.

Observation window

In 2018, when the inaugural WAIC was held, few people could have predicted the development of the AI industry, nor could anyone accurately determine the role the WAIC would play in the broader AI landscape.

By 2026, it has become clear that the annual WAIC has precisely captured each leap in China's AI development, from individual breakthroughs to systemic capabilities. Almost every AI advancement in vision, speech, chips, large models, embodied intelligence, AI for Science and global governance has been showcased on this platform.

Under the banner of "An Era Empowered by Artificial Intelligence", the 2018 edition addressed the most common question of whether AI could be utilized in daily life.

Through seven exhibition areas — transport, health, finance, education, manufacturing, retail and services — many applications were showcased to the public. These were not just concepts, but real-life implementations in places like metro stations, hospitals and factories.

Between 2019 and 2020, the WAIC evolved into a platform to showcase China's commitment to fundamental infrastructure in areas such as chips and algorithms.

In the 2019 edition, three research institutes were established by Microsoft, Amazon and iFlytek. Additionally, eight innovation platforms operated by companies like Huawei and JD were launched. From chips to capital, and from algorithms to platforms, an innovation ecosystem characterized by industry-academia-research collaboration was beginning to take shape at the WAIC.

At the WAIC 2020, 16 kinds of AI chips were unveiled by companies such as Enflame and Horizon Robotics. Additionally, 36 industry projects were signed, with a total investment exceeding 30 billion yuan ($4.41 billion).

Themed "Intelligent Connectivity, Inspirational Cities", the 2021 edition of the WAIC saw visitors being introduced to a wider range of scenarios in urban life. The potential applications of AI in urban transformation were both discussed and showcased.

In 2022, the metaverse emerged as the year's most popular concept. However, the WAIC 2022 chose to focus on showcasing China's comprehensive AI industry chain, from basic algorithms to smart terminals, rather than the metaverse. When the global metaverse bubble burst, the WAIC presented a calm technological showcase, declaring a different approach for China's AI: not chasing trends, but building steadily step-by-step.

At the end of 2022, the release of ChatGPT signaled the AI industry's entry into the large-model era. During this period, China faced a pressing question: Could our models hold their own? At the same time, another issue was emerging: With computing power shortages and restrictions on importing high-end chips, do we have enough support for large models?

Themed "Intelligent Connectivity, Generating Future", the WAIC 2023 had more than 30 large models demonstrated, spanning from general-purpose to industry-specific applications, with a comprehensive industry matrix making its debut. That year's WAIC demonstrated that China's AI industry has not only caught up with the large-model trend but has also begun to build capabilities from chips to models to applications.

The 2024 edition was held together with the High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance, making standardization, safety and scenario deployment the three core threads. The deployment of real-world applications emerged as that year's standout highlight. The exhibition spanned over 52,000 square meters, featuring more than 500 companies and over 1,500 exhibits. Additionally, more than 40 intelligent robots and 25 humanoid robots were showcased together. Meanwhile, niche areas such as private domain large models, computing power networks, and green computing power are rapidly emerging.

The WAIC 2024 marked a pivotal moment for China's AI industry, as it transitioned from focusing solely on technological innovation to establishing deeper roots within the industry. This shift prepared the sector for a mature industrial structure that integrates technology, standards, security and applications.

At the WAIC 2025, the need for cross-border AI governance was emphasized, with a series of measures introduced to address challenging issues. The WAIC has evolved from a technology demonstration platform into a central hub for China to engage in global AI governance and promote Chinese solutions. Governance, which has been a continuous theme over the past eight years, has increasingly become one of the conference's core strengths.

At the WAIC 2026, what will be the things to explore? New products are one aspect, but China's response to the ever-evolving future is an inevitable issue to consider.

City's commitment

In recent years, Shanghai has been committed to promoting AI industry development, with its applications spanning nearly every aspect of society, from manufacturing to daily life. The economic hub in East China has also been dedicated to the global governance of AI, focusing on transforming governance consensus from concepts to mechanisms.

Over the past eight years, the annual WAIC has served as a catalyst, advancing the city's commitment to its AI-driven future. The business agreements signed at the event provide a solid foundation for developing a comprehensive AI industry chain.

The latest technologies and findings showcased at the WAIC have captured the attention of the capital market. Advanced applications in art, space design, industry, wellbeing and governance have raised expectations among ordinary people for a better life.

Additionally, young people have been empowered and inspired by various programs at previous editions.

Thanks to the contribution of the annual WAIC, Shanghai has achieved outstanding results in the AI wave.

It has established a computing power scheduling platform and allocates 1 billion yuan annually in computing power vouchers to help companies access the city's 160,000 petaflops of heterogeneous computing power. It has built China's first corpus operation platform, which aggregates a 1,000-terabyte dataset and connects 100,000 developers from both domestic and international locations.

It has provided fertile ground for AI companies to establish deeper roots in China. An array of locally developed graphics processing unit companies have been listed in stock markets, becoming key contributors to China's AI industry. The 2026 Hurun China Artificial Intelligence Enterprises Top 50 list includes 14 companies from Shanghai, up from nine in 2025.

An atmosphere embracing the AI-enhanced future has been cultivated across Shanghai's 16 districts. In this city, AI is not just for demonstration but for practical use. Numerous landmarks around the city including the Zhangjiang area in Pudong New Area have been established for people to experience the power of AI firsthand.

Shanghai is also a bridge to connect young people with the AI world. Previously, entrepreneurship required a team, funding, a venue and a complete structure. Today, it is believed that an individual armed with a computer and a set of AI tools can complete the entire cycle from concept to delivery.

The city is building up more one-person company communities to create new opportunities for small, agile and AI-enabled teams.

In response to the global needs of AI governance, Shanghai has established AI cooperation mechanisms with 38 countries. The China-BRICS Artificial Intelligence Development and Cooperation Center was set up in early 2025 in the Shanghai Foundation Model Innovation Center, a dedicated incubator for the research and development of foundation models.

In upcoming years, Shanghai will once again intensify its efforts in pursuit of even greater achievements in AI. The WAIC is poised to serve as the backbone of the city's initiatives.

Optimized landscape

After eight years of development, the annual WAIC has sharpened its vision, focusing on advancements and communication in technology, applications and end use.

The technology focus expands from chips, computing power, models and frameworks to AI infrastructure, addressing the question, where does AI capability come from?

The application approach covers sectors such as finance, healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, office, entertainment and industrial intelligence, answering: how does AI integrate into real industries?

The end-use focus encompasses smartphones, wearable devices, humanoid robots and embodied intelligent equipment.

Guided by these three focal points, the WAIC in Shanghai is now regarded as one of the premier events each year for gaining insights and understanding new trends in the AI world.

The debut of new products, cutting-edge research outcomes, breakthroughs in computing power, large models, AI agents and the application of AI in complex scenarios such as the shipping and energy sectors, along with the use of robotics in urban life beyond factories, all showcase what the future will be like. Cross-border communications, exchanges of new solutions and partnerships drive the entire industry toward success.

If there is a need to summarize the defining features of the WAIC, "precision" and "innovation" are the two key words.

"Precision" refers to the conference's focus on key industry aspects — from computing power chips to large model platforms, from industry applications to embodied intelligence, and from smart glasses to humanoid robots.

The WAIC continually brings the most representative achievements of the global AI industry to the stage, allowing global participants to witness the complete evolution of technological, application and terminal routes in one exhibition.

"Innovation" highlights the conference's ability to capture the next wave of industry changes: generative AI, AI agents, AI for Science, industrial intelligent bodies, embodied large models and intelligent terminals.

Each time a new trend emerges, the WAIC exhibition area is quick to showcase it, transforming technological excitement into ecosystem momentum through premieres, awards, innovation incubation and industry connections.

After eight years of growth, the WAIC has become a dynamic map of China's AI industry growth. It has witnessed China's progress from foundational technology catch-up to breakthroughs in large models, the deepening of industry applications and the explosion of intelligent terminals. It has also seen global companies showcasing, exchanging and collaborating on an open platform to define the next phase of AI development.

After eight years of development, the annual WAIC has sharpened its vision, focusing on advancements and communication in technology, applications and end use.

The technology focus expands from chips, computing power, models and frameworks to AI infrastructure, addressing the question, where does AI capability come from?

The end-use focus encompasses smartphones, wearable devices, humanoid robots and embodied intelligent equipment.

Guided by these three focal points, the WAIC in Shanghai is now regarded as one of the premier events each year for gaining insights and understanding new trends in the AI world.

If there is a need to summarize the defining features of the WAIC, "precision" and "innovation" are the two key words.

WAIC ecosystem

Ten years ago, discussions about AI mainly centered on parameter competitions in technical papers or trending stories in the capital markets. However, as AI starts to permeate factories, hospitals and schools and becomes the "default setting" in the development of the next generation, a crucial question arises: How can individuals of different ages, industries and perspectives reach a consensus in this AI era and possibly collaborate on shared initiatives?

The unique WAIC ecosystem, comprising five platforms — WAIC Future Tech, WAIC CONNECT, WAIC UP!, WAIC YOUNG and AI GRAVITY — has become a powerful engine propelling the industry forward. Within this ecosystem, individuals and groups, including the younger generation, new startups, companies seeking international expansion and those looking for growth opportunities, can gain insights into the latest developments in AI. This exposure enables them to understand the changes and determine how to unlock potential.

The WAIC Future Tech is set to be an incubator that helps young developers and entrepreneurs with cutting-edge technologies to be "seen, supported and funded".

In 2025, WAIC Future Tech organized 60 road shows to connect 200 professional investors with over 600 AI startup initiatives. A total of 225 projects received intended funding support valued at 268 million yuan.

Figures show that more than half of these founders were born in the 1990s, and about 70 percent of the projects had been established for less than three years. Many entrepreneurs attended WAIC with just a roll-up banner and a technical plan.

VAST, the Chinese 3D large model developer, has become one of the success stories of WAIC Future Tech in supporting startups to pursue their dreams.

Apart from supporting startups, WAIC CONNECT is designed to matchmake companies with research teams.

By providing one-on-one professional matchmaking services, the brand is poised to be an efficient and reliable connector within the global AI industry.

In 2025, WAIC CONNECT engaged with 827 upstream and downstream enterprises and served 156 registered procurement groups, addressing over 300 industrial demands. Leading companies such as Pipeline China, China Telecom and Baosteel launched 57 application scenarios, resulting in a cumulative intended cooperation amount of 16.2 billion yuan.

WAIC YOUNG is dedicated to developing a global innovation platform that engages the younger generation in AI-related activities, stimulating technological imagination and cultivating future creators.

WAIC YOUNG has three major competitions: AI Meets Intangible Cultural Heritage, WAIC YOUNG AIGC and an obstacle race for robot dogs, all designed to guide teenagers in understanding AI creation and practice.

WAIC UP!, the conference's official publication, serves as a guide to the latest AI developments. It brings together AI professionals, observers and enthusiasts, fostering the convergence and collision of diverse perspectives.

By the end of June, seven issues of WAIC UP! had been published, featuring over 70 AI pioneers from various fields. Turing Award winners, academicians, artists, writers and designers gathered to share their "counterintuitive" perspectives on AI.

The landmark event, WAIC UP! Night, recorded nearly 6 million views online. It is clear that people are no longer satisfied with just knowing "how powerful AI is", but are more interested in understanding "where we should head in the AI era".

Following the launch of WAIC Future Tech, WAIC CONNECT, WAIC UP!, and WAIC YOUNG in July, AI GRAVITY was launched at the end of 2025, marking the fifth platform in WAIC ecosystem. AI GRAVITY is set to support the Chinese industry to expand in the overseas market and contribute to the global AI cooperation network.

In November 2025, AI GRAVITY partnered with AIMX in Singapore, bringing together more than 3,000 professionals and more than 900 domestic and international companies. More than 200 matchmaking events were organized.

AI GRAVITY also signed a strategic cooperation memorandum with the leading Asia-Pacific exhibition group, MP Group, transitioning from a single event organizer to a long-term global AI ecosystem co-builder.

Representative local companies, such as Agibot, Lightelligence and Alibaba.com, leveraged this opportunity to establish themselves in the Southeast Asian market.

AI GRAVITY has outlined a clear development strategy. In 2026, it plans to strengthen its presence in the Asia-Pacific region, followed by a comprehensive expansion into the European market in 2027.

By leveraging Shanghai's international strengths, AI GRAVITY intends to establish the city as a premier launchpad for AI globalization and create a global AI hub, positioning Chinese AI to expand globally.

Looking ahead, as more technologies are integrated into real-world scenarios and more devices are used in the physical world, alongside the emergence of young teams in the industry, the annual WAIC — the global AI event — will continue to be a key witness to AI innovation, collaboration and industrial transformation. It will contribute to the global AI landscape not only by driving technological change but by fostering shifts in mindset, nurturing the development of the younger generation, and promoting innovation, industry growth and global expansion, organizers said.

CHINA DAILY

The World Artificial Intelligence Conference is an annual showcase for cutting-edge AI-powered design and innovation from around the world. CHINA DAILY

The World Artificial Intelligence Conference is an annual showcase for cutting-edge AI-powered design and innovation from around the world.

BACK TO THE TOP

Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.

Registration Number: 130349

About China Daily

Advertise on Site

Job Offer

Expat Employment