Shanghai Set to Host Record-Breaking 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference 2026

The World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2026 is scheduled to begin on July 17.

Covering a record 100,000 square meters across three venues in the Pudong New Area and Xuhui District, this four-day conference has attracted over 1,100 confirmed exhibitors.

This year's conference will display more than 3,000 innovative products, including 300 set for global debuts. Highlights include cutting-edge AI models from StepFun and MiniMax, next-generation AI smartphones, and Huawei's Atlas 950 AI node system.

Key topics for discussions will include humanoids, advanced AI models, AI coding, and the token economy.

Additionally, WAIC will host over 140 forums with insights from 1,400 global speakers.

AI has quickly become an essential growth engine for China's economy. According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China is expected to produce over 100,000 humanoid robots in 2026 as automation increasingly integrates into factories, enhancing manufacturing efficiency.

Shanghai Vice Mayor Chen Jie said on Tuesday that as of 2025, the city is home to 394 large-scale AI firms. These companies generated a total revenue of 637 billion yuan, reflecting a 39.5 percent year-on-year growth, thereby establishing AI as a key economic driver for the region.