Summary of Key Highlights
From July 17 to 20, 2026, Shanghai will host the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), which for the first time will integrate the Expo, Zhangjiang, and West Bund areas, creating an unprecedented scale with over 140 forums, more than 1,400 international guests, and 1,100 companies presenting over 3,000 exhibits, including over 300 global premieres. The theme of the conference is “Intelligent Partners, Creating a Shared Future.” Before the conference, experts from academia, industry, and finance were interviewed, sharing three core perspectives: AI has been deeply integrated into daily work and life; AI is a “enhancing tool” for humans, not a replacement; and the development of AI must consider sustainability and global governance issues.
Detailed Analysis
1. The 2026 WAIC: A Global Event Celebrating “Intelligent Partners”
This year’s conference represents the highest-level international event in the field of AI in China. Not only has its scale expanded, but it also connects four venues from three different areas—Zhangjiang (the AI industry hub), the Expo (a cultural landmark), and West Bund (an innovation district)—creating a unified “AI stage.” The conference covers a wide range of activities, from forum discussions to exhibit experiences, as well as talent recruitment and project incubation, encompassing nearly the entire AI industry chain. Notably, it also includes the “High-Level Conference on Global Artificial Intelligence Governance,” which focuses on establishing rules for AI, such as managing large models, data security, and the impact of AI on scientific research. This highlights the need for AI to develop both rapidly and responsibly.
2. AI Has Already Quietly Entered Our Lives
AI is far from being an alien concept; it has already permeated many aspects of our daily lives and work. For example, Professor Golding from Oxford University consciously uses AI to search for information and relies on smart devices (such as voice assistants in smartphones) without even realizing it. He also asks students to compare the results of different AI tools (like DeepSeek and Gemini) to foster their critical thinking skills. Zavronkov, the CEO of a pharmaceutical company using AI, utilizes an AI assistant to analyze his own 300 published papers, generating over 100 articles per week. Although these articles are not directly published, they are very useful for organizing his research. These examples demonstrate that AI is not a future technology; it is already part of our present.
3. AI as a Helper, Not a Job Competitor
Many people worry that AI will replace human jobs, but the interviewed experts disagree. Professor Mihov from the European School of Business Administration cited the example of radiology departments in hospitals. While some feared that AI would replace radiologists, it has actually increased their efficiency by handling more patients, thus increasing the demand for their services. Müller from Deutsche Bank emphasized that the use of AI in finance is not about replacing humans but about enhancing their decision-making abilities. For instance, in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investments, AI can analyze large amounts of data, but final decisions still require human judgment. Professor Golding added that while AI can quickly process years’ worth of data analysis, true innovation often stems from human curiosity and imagination, which AI cannot replicate.
4. The Challenges Behind AI Development: Sustainability and Governance
The faster AI develops, the more significant its associated issues become. Müller pointed out that while AI can accelerate the transition to clean energy, it also consumes resources (energy and water) and generates environmental waste through the production and disposal of hardware. The conference addressed these concerns by discussing topics such as the architecture of large models, data security, and the regulation of embodied intelligence (such as robots), aiming to ensure that AI development is sustainable and does not get out of control.
In summary, the 2026 WAIC is not only a platform for showcasing AI advancements but also a global dialogue about how humans and AI can coexist—using AI to improve our lives while ensuring its responsible and sustainable growth.