Stepping into the exhibition halls of the 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai felt less like attending an event and more like walking into a tangible vision of tomorrow. From July 26th to 29th, this global gathering, themed "Intelligent Era, Shared Future," wasn't just about showcasing cutting-edge technology; it was a vibrant testament to humanity's collective aspirations for a smarter world.
The air buzzed with innovation. Imagine humanoid robots sparring with surprising agility, or automated store assistants seamlessly serving customers. This year's WAIC exhibition was a record-breaker, spanning over 70,000 square meters and featuring more than 800 companies. We saw over 3,000 cutting-edge exhibits, including around 40 large AI models, 50 AI-powered terminal products, and 60 intelligent robots. What struck me most were the over 100 groundbreaking products making their global or Chinese debut – a clear signal that AI is no longer a distant dream, but a present reality.
"What used to be discussed as 'future tense' for AI is now very much 'present tense'," shared Zhang Ying, Deputy Secretary-General of the Shanghai Municipal Government and Director of the Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization. Shanghai itself is a powerhouse, having established the nation's first specialized corpus operation platform, boasting over 1800TB of finished data. They've also opened up a massive 420 billion tokens of text and 1TB of video and image data, significantly lowering the barrier for AI startups. This commitment to an open ecosystem is palpable.
The conference highlighted a significant shift from the focus on "large models" to broader applications like "scientific intelligence" and "embodied intelligence." We're seeing AI move beyond theoretical discussions and into practical, industry-transforming roles. The "AI+ manufacturing" sector, for instance, is rapidly evolving, and the concept of embodied AI – robots with enhanced physical capabilities and interaction – is gaining serious traction. This isn't just about technological advancement; it's about how AI is being integrated into the fabric of our industries and daily lives.
Shanghai's proactive approach is evident in its dedicated AI hubs. The "Model Speed Space" in Xuhui focuses on model ecosystems, attracting over 500 "AI+" enterprises. Meanwhile, the "Model Power Community" in Pudong is concentrating on embodied intelligence and specialized applications, drawing nearly 200 AI companies. The economic impact is undeniable: Shanghai's AI industry scale surpassed 118 billion yuan in the first quarter of this year, a remarkable 29% year-on-year increase, with profits soaring by 65%. It's clear that AI is becoming a significant engine for economic growth.
Beyond the impressive technological displays and economic figures, the underlying message of WAIC 2025 is one of collaboration and shared progress. The reference material also touches upon the broader regional context, with ASEAN's annual report highlighting its role as an "epicenter of growth" and its commitment to regional integration, peace, and stability. While not directly about AI exhibitions, this broader perspective reminds us that technological advancements, like AI, are most impactful when they contribute to a more connected and prosperous global community. The future of AI isn't just about smarter machines; it's about how these intelligent systems can work in tandem with humanity to solve complex challenges and build a better world for everyone.