Shanghai World Artificial Intelligence ConferenceWAIC

The World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, together with the High-Level Conference on Global AI Governance, aims to serve as a key platform for international exchange and cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence. The Global Partnership on AI was initiated by the Chinese government in July 2025 and represents an important step taken by China to advance global AI governance; its headquarters is tentatively planned to be located in Shanghai.

The World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai will feature six core components—conferences and forums, exhibitions, award ceremonies and competitions, application demonstrations, innovation incubation, and talent recruitment and attraction—bringing together world-leading scientists, entrepreneurs, government officials, academic experts, international organizations, investors, and startup teams to establish a world-class platform for collaboration and exchange.

Co-hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, the Cyberspace Administration of China, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the China Association for Science and Technology, and the People’s Government of Shanghai Municipality. Since its inception in 2018, the conference has consistently pursued a strategic direction emphasizing internationalization, high-end positioning, professionalism, and youth engagement, gradually evolving into one of the most influential industry events in the global artificial intelligence sector.

This year’s event will take place in Shanghai from July 17 to 20, spanning three major venues: the Expo Area (including the Expo Center and the Expo Exhibition Hall), Zhangjiang (Zhangjiang Science Hall), and the West Bund (West Bund International Convention & Exhibition Center). Under the theme “Smart Partners, Co-Creating the Future,” the program comprises six key components: forums and conferences, exhibitions, award ceremonies and competitions, application demonstrations, innovation incubation, and talent recruitment and knowledge sharing. Over 140 thematic forums are planned, bringing together more than 1,400 international speakers. The total exhibition space exceeds 100,000 square meters, with participation from over 1,100 global companies showcasing more than 3,000 exhibits. Additionally, a dedicated OPC showcase area will make its debut, hosting 180 enterprises presenting their latest innovations.

Over the years, the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) has served as a premier platform for observing the evolution of AI in China, while also providing a vital forum for global exchange on AI technologies, product innovation, ecosystem collaboration, and regulatory dialogue. For many years, WAIC has consistently highlighted world premieres, cutting-edge breakthroughs, and real-world applications, witnessing China’s AI industry undergo a remarkable transformation—from algorithmic advances and computational power breakthroughs to the rise of large-scale models, the deployment of intelligent agents, and the integration of robotics into manufacturing and urban settings. At the same time, it has enabled global enterprises to showcase their technologies, share solutions, and explore opportunities for collaboration—all on a single stage.

The exhibition framework of WAIC has become increasingly clear: one track follows the technological pathway, spanning chips, computing power, models, frameworks, and AI infrastructure, addressing the question “Where does AI capability originate?”; another focuses on the application pathway, ranging from finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and transportation to office productivity, entertainment, and industrial intelligent agents, exploring “How can AI be integrated into real-world industries?”; and a third addresses the end-user pathway, covering smartphones, AI PCs, wearable devices, humanoid robots, and embodied intelligent systems, answering “How can AI transcend screens and enter the physical world?” These three pathways intertwine to form a comprehensive picture of China’s AI industry—moving from foundational research and development, through scenario-based implementation, to explosive growth at the consumer end.

If the AI industry is a towering edifice, then foundational technologies form its very foundation. Each advancement in computing chips, development frameworks, foundational models, data platforms, and cloud services determines how far AI can advance and how deeply it can take root. Over the past years, the most striking transformation observed at the WAIC exhibition area has been China’s shift in underlying AI capabilities—from addressing critical shortcomings to building a comprehensive ecosystem.

The World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai has long since evolved beyond a mere trade show—it has become a dynamic roadmap for tracking the growth of China’s AI industry. It has witnessed China’s AI journey, from addressing foundational technological gaps to achieving breakthroughs in large-scale models, and further advancing into deepening industry applications and an explosion of intelligent end devices. It has also borne witness to global enterprises competing on open platforms, engaging in collaboration and exchange, and jointly shaping the future direction of artificial intelligence. 

From the WAIC exhibition area, we gain insight into global AI—revealing not only technological advancements but also the emergence of a new industrial landscape. Looking ahead, as more technologies are deployed in real-world settings, as an increasing number of end devices integrate into the physical world, and as younger teams take center stage in the industry, this premier global AI event will continue to serve as a pivotal witness to innovation, collaboration, and transformative growth across the AI ecosystem.