Collaboration drives graphics, AI advances

For Tsinghua University graduate student Tan Shiyu, stepping into SIGGRAPH 2026 in Los Angeles marked several firsts: his first journey outside China, his first major international academic conference and his first opportunity to present his research directly to some of the world's leading computer graphics scholars and companies.

The experience could also help shape his future career, as his primary research interest lies in the intelligent generation of computer-aided design, or CAD.

"One of my main goals is to connect with people from different parts of the world and learn new things," Tan told China Daily. "I am very excited to meet researchers and discuss interesting topics such as generative AI."

Tan was among the researchers, engineers, artists and industry professionals gathering from Sunday to Thursday at the LA Convention Center for the conference, where topics spanned artificial intelligence, robotics, animation, simulation, immersive experiences and other developments in computer graphics and interactive technologies.

Tan presented his research at the conference and spoke with representatives of Autodesk, a US design software company, about generative technologies and their potential applications.

He said such conversations offered an opportunity not only to learn from global experts but also to introduce research emerging from China.

This year's conference reflected a broader transformation taking place across the field: computer graphics is moving beyond the creation of visual effects, films and games to become an increasingly important foundation for robotics, industrial design, autonomous systems and digital twins.

That shift took center stage in Nvidia's keynote address. In remarks introducing the presentation, CEO Jensen Huang traced the company's evolution from computer graphics to accelerated computing and artificial intelligence.

"Thirty years ago, we set out to build a new kind of computer — one that could solve problems traditional computers simply could not," Huang said.

He said graphics processing units, originally designed for computer graphics, later became powerful tools for science and engineering and helped drive modern AI, which is now transforming graphics.

"We want the power of AI, but grounded in 3D, governed by physics and shapable by creators," Huang said.

Chinese researchers attending the conference said China has become increasingly active in many of the underlying technologies driving this transformation.

Liu Libin, a professor at Peking University's Institute for Artificial Intelligence, said Chinese scholars made up about half of the participants at a recent gathering discussing technical papers.

Rising influence

"That speaks volumes about China's growing influence in this field," Liu told China Daily.

Liu said Chinese scientists are making internationally recognized contributions across fields including rendering, physics-based simulation, digital manufacturing, generative AI and three-dimensional content creation.

Many of the technologies used to produce sophisticated digital characters and environments for major Hollywood films such as the latest Avatar movie are also being developed in China, he said.

The conference demonstrated how artificial intelligence and interactive technologies are changing artistic expression.

The SIGGRAPH 2026 Art Gallery featured works examining relationships among technological systems, physical materials, time, space and the public.

"The idea is for artists, creators and technologists to present innovative uses of technology that challenge our understanding of how we use everyday technologies," Everardo Reyes, chair of the Art Gallery, told China Daily.

One of the featured projects was created by the Critical Matter Group at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Lab.

Wang Ruipeng, one of the project's authors, said the installation depended on cooperation with BrainCo, a neurotechnology company with significant operations in Hangzhou, China.

"We collaborate with BrainCo, which provides the necessary EEG hardware and software development kit to power the installation," Wang told China Daily. "We are mainly responsible for the software and interaction."

The project reflects how technologies and expertise developed in different countries can be combined to create new forms of research and artistic expression, he said.

Participants acknowledged that China and the United States are competing to develop artificial intelligence, computer graphics and other strategic technologies.

"There is certainly competition between China and the United States, but there is also extensive cooperation," Liu said. "From an academic perspective, researchers place even greater value on collaboration."