WAIC fosters partnership for a better future

Guided by multilateralism and an open, inclusive mindset, China has proactively advanced global artificial intelligence governance and international collaboration, contributing Chinese solutions to fuel global growth in the intelligent era.

Zhou Haibing, deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission, said that China took the lead in rolling out the Global AI Governance Initiative, which upholds the core tenets of beneficial, secure, controllable, inclusive and equitable AI development.

Launched in 2018, the World Artificial Intelligence Conference bears the core mission of putting this initiative into practice and stands as one of China's most high-profile international events dedicated to AI.

WAIC 2026 kicks of in Shanghai on July 17 and will run through July 20.

"We look forward to taking this conference as an opportunity to further strengthen international cooperation on AI with all partners," Zhou said.

Centered on the theme "AI Partnership for a Brighter Future", this year's event consists of six core modules: conferences and forums, exhibitions and showcases, competitions and awards, application and experience, investment and incubation, as well as talent and recruitment, aiming to elevate its strategic leadership and global influence to new heights.

Boasting record-breaking professional strength and industrial momentum, the conference will host more than 140 forums and side events. It has built partnerships with 12 central government ministries, eight national key laboratories, more than 10 international organizations, over 10 top-tier research institutions and 20-plus world-class universities, bringing together more than 1,500 distinguished guests to exchange cutting-edge insights.

A breakthrough this year is WAIC Academic, a high-standard international AI academic conference hosted by the WAIC for the first time.

Professor Yao Qizhi, Turing Award winner and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, serves as the general chair.

This year's WAIC exhibition covers three major venues spanning a total area of over 100,000 square meters, each with distinct positioning.

The Shanghai World Expo Exhibition Hall presents a full-spectrum showcase of AI applications; the West Bund International Convention and Exhibition Center in Xuhui district functions as an immersive hub showcasing futuristic technologies for the public; and the Zhangjiang Science Hall puts intelligent infrastructure and chip development front and center.

More than 1,100 enterprises are displaying more than 4,400 cutting-edge exhibits, including over 300 AI products making their global debuts. More than 200 enterprises are focusing on intelligent computing and embodied intelligence.

To discover outstanding AI talents and cultivate young innovators, this year's conference has upgraded its competition lineup. It retains the well-known SAIL Award while introducing new contests such as the OPC Independent Pioneer Challenge, forming a full-cycle talent development system integrating competitions, industry exchanges and startup incubation.