On July 26, the 2025 WAIC grandly opened in Shanghai. As one of the most influential industry events in the global AI field, this year’s conference brings together 1,570 top experts and over 800 exhibiting companies, with the exhibition area exceeding 70,000 square meters for the first time. 2025 WAIC showcases three core tracks: AI infrastructure, large models, and intelligent agents. Attendees can experience interactive activities such as robot competitions and AI tour guides, while a high-level global AI governance meeting will be held concurrently.
This global AI extravaganza, covering technological displays, academic exchanges, and industrial applications, will comprehensively present the latest achievements and future trends in artificial intelligence. Under the theme “Intelligent Era, Shared Future,” the conference is being held simultaneously across three major venues: the Shanghai World Expo Center, the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition Hall, and Xuhui West Bund.Come with AGIYes to check out this year’s 2025 WAIC!
Five Highlights of 2025 WAIC
Gathering of Top Experts to Discuss AI’s Future
The conference has assembled the brightest minds in the global AI field. Renowned figures such as “Godfather of AI” Geoffrey Hinton, Turing Award winner Yann LeCun, and renowned Chinese computer scientist Academician Yao Qizhi are among the 1,570 world-class experts in attendance. These industry leaders will share their latest research findings and explore the development trends and future directions of AI technology.
Particularly noteworthy is the in-depth discussion on cutting-edge Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) research by multiple experts, offering attendees authoritative industry insights. The conference also features several closed-door seminars, providing a platform for deep exchanges among industry, academia, and research institutions.
Record-breaking Exhibition Scale Showcasing Cutting-edge Technology
The 2025 WAIC exhibition area has surpassed 70,000 square meters for the first time, marking a 15% increase from the previous edition. Over 800 companies from around the world will display more than 3,000 advanced technologies and products, including over 80 global or China premieres.
The exhibition comprehensively covers all aspects of the AI industry chain, from basic hardware to application scenarios, presenting visitors with a complete AI ecosystem. Attendees can get up close with the latest AI technological achievements and experience the transformative power of technology.
Three Core Tracks Leading Industry Direction
This year’s conference specifically focuses on three key AI sectors: infrastructure, large models, and intelligent agents, each showcasing groundbreaking innovations.
In infrastructure, cutting-edge systems like Huawei’s “Ascend 384 Super Node” and H3C’s UniPoD S80000 will be unveiled, providing powerful computing support for AI development. The large model sector features heavyweight products such as SenseTime’s “Rixin V6.5,” Tencent’s Hybrid 3D World Model, and NetEase Fuxi’s Construction Machinery Model, demonstrating Chinese companies’ capabilities in fundamental AI model development.
The intelligent agent track is equally impressive, with innovative applications like Tesla’s Optimus robot, Baidu’s highly persuasive digital human anchors, and JD Cloud’s JoyAgent allowing visitors to personally experience how AI is transforming our lives and work.
Immersive Experiences Making Technology Accessible
To help the public better understand AI technology, the conference has organized a variety of interactive activities. Robot competitions will demonstrate various robots’ performance in complex environments; AI travel robots can provide personalized guided tours for visitors; 29 flash mobs including robotic dog parades and lion dances will make the technology displays more lively and engaging.
Notably, some exhibition areas will feature VR/AR zones, allowing visitors to experience the future intelligent world through immersive technology. These interactive designs significantly lower the barrier for the public to engage with cutting-edge technology.
Global Governance Discussions Promoting Responsible AI Development
Held concurrently with the conference, the High-level Meeting on Global AI Governance will bring together policymakers, scholars, and corporate representatives from various countries to discuss critical issues such as AI ethics, safety standards, and international cooperation. Against the backdrop of rapid global AI technology development, ensuring technology benefits humanity has become a key focus.
The meeting will release the “Shanghai Initiative on Global AI Governance (2025),” providing a guiding framework for building an open, inclusive, and responsible AI development environment. This initiative is expected to become an important consensus in the field of international AI governance.
2025 WAIC Practical Visitor Guide
For those planning to attend, the following practical information is worth noting: Regarding transportation, both Metro Line 8 and Line 13 go directly to China Art Museum Station, with the main World Expo venues within walking distance from the exit. Given the expected large crowds, it’s advisable to plan routes in advance and visit during off-peak hours.
For dining, the exhibition halls feature AI smart food bars supporting facial recognition payments, offering efficient meal services for visitors. Additionally, surrounding commercial facilities will provide special conference services to meet various needs.
Visitors are reminded to bring identification documents, as electronic tickets require QR code scanning for entry. Due to the extensive exhibition content, it’s recommended to check the venue layout and event schedule on the official website beforehand to plan an optimal visiting route for the best experience.
The 2025 WAIC World Artificial Intelligence Conference will be a grand showcase of human intellectual achievements. From July 26 to 29, Shanghai will become the global focal point for AI innovation, bringing together the most advanced technologies, top talents, and forward-thinking ideas. Whether you’re an industry professional, technology enthusiast, or general visitor, you’ll find your own AI experience here.
This grand event not only demonstrates how AI is changing the world today but also foreshadows the future direction of technological development. Let’s meet in Shanghai to witness this spectacular showcase of intelligent technology together and explore the future of human-machine collaboration for a better tomorrow.
