Heat, hardware and high stakes at AI showcase event

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, July 23, 2026

The sixth World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping, showcased major AI advancements amid heavy traffic and intense heat. President Xi’s keynote stressed AI as a historic opportunity for openness and collaboration, with initiatives like Hong Kong’s Generative AI Centre aiming to globalize China’s AI innovations.

Traffic congestion near Shanghai’s Expo Centre hindered access to the opening day of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) on July 21, as temperatures approached 40 degrees Celsius. Many attendees abandoned taxis and walked the final two kilometers under the intense heat to participate in what was described as the most vibrant and heavily attended WAIC since the event’s inception in 2018.

This year’s conference, marking the sixth edition of WAIC, was notable for the presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping, who delivered his first keynote speech at the event. President Xi emphasized the importance of leveraging artificial intelligence as a "rare historic opportunity,” advocating for increased openness, collaboration, and shared development in AI technologies.

Following this directive, the Hong Kong Generative AI Research and Development Centre announced its "LIM Going Global Strategy," aiming to harness Hong Kong’s position as a "superconnector" to facilitate the global dissemination of mainland China’s AI innovations.

Exhibitors showcased advancements across various sectors, with Huawei’s Atlas 960 SuperPod emerging as a focal point. This impressive setup includes 1,024 Ascend AI processors housed in expansive computing cabinets, drawing large crowds eager to capture the full scale of the hardware. Meanwhile, the robotics section attracted significant attention, particularly when Unitree robots performed a synchronized dance routine, prompting visitors to surround the booth with their smartphones.

Technology giants such as Alibaba Group Holding and Tencent Holdings framed AI as a driver of practical enterprise solutions rather than merely conversational models. The competition among these companies has shifted toward developing AI agents capable of functioning as digital workers across different business applications. Notably, Alibaba, which owns the South China Morning Post, has positioned itself prominently in this transformation.

The influence of AI also reached beyond traditional tech firms. For instance, Luckin Coffee highlighted its integration of AI in supply chain management and store operations, with its branded cups and on-site pop-up stores appearing throughout the conference venue. Attendees queued to sample AI-powered beverages, although reports indicated the taste remained consistent with standard offerings.

As the event concluded, many participants expressed eagerness to return in subsequent years. Prospective entrepreneurs, especially those looking to launch ventures in AI-related fields such as video gaming, viewed WAIC as a critical platform for engagement and networking. The conference underscored China’s growing ambition to lead in AI development while promoting international collaboration despite ongoing global tech competition.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.