seniorspectrumnewspaper – Shanghai’s World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) has opened with a record-breaking 800 companies participating. These exhibitors showcase more than 3,000 AI products, including large language models, intelligent robots, and AI devices. The event highlights China’s rapid progress in AI technology despite ongoing challenges from US export restrictions on advanced chips and tools.
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Among the products on display are 40 large language models, 50 AI devices, and 60 intelligent robots, reflecting a broad spectrum of AI development. The show features major Chinese companies like Huawei and Alibaba alongside global players such as Tesla, Alphabet, and Amazon. Start-ups like Unitree, known for humanoid robots, add innovation and diversity to the event.
Premier Li Qiang delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the need for international governance in AI. He called for a global framework to balance innovation with security, warning that fragmented rules risk making AI an exclusive domain for a few states or companies. His proposal aims to create standards that support developing economies and promote fair AI development worldwide.
Despite the US tightening export controls since the Trump administration, Chinese firms continue to make breakthroughs. For example, Hangzhou-based DeepSeek introduced a low-cost AI model that rivals leading US systems. Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang praised AI models from DeepSeek, Alibaba, and Tencent as “world-class,” underscoring China’s growing influence in AI technology.
AI Governance, Global Competition, and Future Outlook
The WAIC is more than a technology exhibition; it serves as a platform for diplomatic dialogue amid diverging national AI strategies. Premier Li’s call for shared governance reflects a growing concern over the risks of fragmented regulation and escalating geopolitical tensions around AI.
China’s push for an international governance body aims to ensure AI benefits all countries, especially developing ones. This approach contrasts with tighter US export restrictions designed to curb China’s access to advanced semiconductor technology. The competition between these two major powers is shaping the future of AI innovation and its global distribution.
With over 800 exhibitors, WAIC highlights the rapid pace of AI development in China and beyond. The event shows that supply chain constraints and export controls have not halted progress but instead stimulated domestic innovation. The presence of Western firms alongside Chinese giants also signals ongoing global interest and collaboration in AI.
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Looking ahead, the success of Li’s governance proposal will depend on international cooperation and trust. The global AI race is at a critical junction, where shared standards could help manage risks and promote equitable growth. WAIC’s role as both a showcase and diplomatic forum positions Shanghai as a key player in shaping AI’s future.
In summary, the Shanghai AI conference underscores the dynamic tension between innovation, regulation, and international competition. It reveals a vibrant AI ecosystem determined to advance despite external challenges and geopolitical complexities.
