Exhibition Information
展会简介
Exhibition Value of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai
- A National-Level Benchmark for the AI Industry: Co-hosted by ten government departments, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, the conference has evolved over eight years into a premier global event in the AI field. In 2025, the exhibition area surpassed 70,000 square meters for the first time, bringing together more than 800 exhibiting companies and showcasing over 3,000 cutting-edge technologies, including more than 100 products making their “global debut” or “China premiere,” comprehensively demonstrating AI’s transformative journey from parameter-driven innovation to industrial application.
- A Hub for World-Class Intellectual Resources: The conference gathers over 1,500 leading experts from more than 70 countries and regions, including 12 recipients of top international awards such as the Turing Award and the Nobel Prize, over 80 Chinese and foreign academicians, and representatives from numerous world‑class research laboratories. This high‑caliber lineup provides a rare platform for enterprises to connect with global top-tier resources and stay abreast of industry‑leading trends.
- A Comprehensive Showcase of the Entire AI Ecosystem: The exhibition space fully covers core domains, including large‑scale models, AI chips, intelligent terminals, embodied robotics, and computing infrastructure. From industry leaders such as Huawei’s Ascend AI ecosystem, Alibaba’s Qwen, and Tencent’s AI suite, to innovative startups like Unitree Robotics, Zhiyuan Robotics, Fourier, and emerging computing power pioneers like Moxie and Suiyuan, the event presents the complete AI value chain—from foundational hardware to advanced applications.
- An Engine for Translating Industrial Potential into Real‑World Impact: The conference highlights three key pillars—academic breakthroughs, software‑hardware integration, and global governance. From last year’s “Eighteen Martial Arts Masters” demonstration to this year’s “Skill Stage,” featuring robots performing delicate tasks such as peeling quail eggs and preparing oden, the event vividly illustrates technology’s transition from the lab to real‑world settings. At the 2025 edition, more than 300 procurement needs were announced on site, and 225 early‑stage startup projects were invited to showcase and engage in on‑site exchanges, with projected intent-to‑purchase commitments exceeding RMB 16 billion.
- Dual Empowerment through Policy and Capital: During the conference, the “Several Measures of Shanghai Municipality to Further Expand the Application of Artificial Intelligence” were unveiled, along with the issuance of RMB 600 million in computing vouchers, RMB 300 million in model vouchers, and RMB 100 million in corpus vouchers. Additionally, the first phase of the Shanghai AI CVC Fund, totaling RMB 3 billion, was launched. A total of 32 projects were signed during the event, with combined investments reaching RMB 45 billion. Shanghai has established a capital framework centered on a RMB 60 billion national fund and a RMB 22.5 billion municipal mother fund, ensuring comprehensive financing support across all stages of development—from seed funding to maturity.
- A Pinnacle for Governance and Standardization: The conference released the “Global Action Plan for AI Governance,” the “Practical Guide to AI‑Enabled Industry Applications,” and the “Joint Initiative for Co‑Creation and Sharing of Intelligent Agent Protocols,” among other significant outcomes. It also deepened international dialogue and cooperation on AI standardization, promoted the global dissemination of standards, and initiated pilot verification and international translation efforts for national standards in ASEAN and BRICS member states.
- Innovation Incubation and Youth Empowerment: The conference features a dedicated Future Tech Innovation Incubation Zone, collaborating with investment firms such as Qiming Venture Partners to spotlight over 200 early‑stage startup teams from China and abroad, each operating for less than five years. By fostering a vibrant environment that combines youthful energy with academic rigor, the event hosts elite forums and thought‑provoking discussions, providing young innovators with an expanded platform for creative dialogue.





