Summary of Key Highlights
The 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) was held in Shanghai, showcasing the latest advancements across the entire AI industry chain: from the foundational aspects of computing power (green energy, supercomputing clusters) to chip alternatives (domestically produced chips gradually being integrated into robots and data centers), from practical applications (AI tools for office work and creative processes) to next-generation hardware (AI-enabled glasses), all the way to mass production and international expansion of robotics. Chinese companies performed outstandingly in various areas, not only driving the adoption of AI domestically but also enhancing their global influence through products such as large-scale models, hardware, and robots. The conference emphasized the importance of global cooperation and governance in the AI era.
1. Computing Power and Chips: New Breakthroughs for AI’s Foundation
For AI to function effectively, it requires sufficient “energy” (computing power) and “core components” (chips). At this conference, Chinese companies made significant advancements in both areas:
- More Efficient Green Computing: The Southern Power Grid introduced the “Da Watt·Yun Rui” system, which can accurately calculate the energy consumption required for AI tasks, making computing power more cost-effective and environmentally friendly (e.g., by improving efficiency and reducing electricity costs and carbon emissions).
- Supercomputing Clusters Set New Records: Huawei demonstrated a supernode with 1024 Ascend cards, which can be expanded to 500,000 cards, making it the most powerful computing cluster in the world. The 100,000-card cluster developed by Zhongke Shuguang was deployed in Zhengzhou for scientific research purposes (e.g., using AI to solve complex problems).
- Domestic Chips Competing Globally: Many companies that previously used NVIDIA chips are now turning to domestically produced alternatives. For instance, the Xuri S600 chip from Diguagua Robot has been adopted by over 20 leading robotics companies. Although switching to domestic chips is not without challenges (developers need to readapt their algorithms), supportive policies and market conditions will help overcome these barriers in the long run.
2. Practical AI Applications: Will Next-Generation Hardware Compete with Smartphones?
AI is no longer just a novelty; it’s becoming an integral part of daily work and life, even potentially replacing smartphones as a primary interface:
- Streamlined Office Work: Baidu’s DuMate can handle complex tasks across applications (e.g., automatically organizing information from various files). Tencent’s WorkBuddy can automate entire work processes. SenseTime’s Seko can create short videos and music videos from scripts, freeing creators from these tasks.
- AI Glasses as the New Smart Device: The Moonix glasses from Xinmou Technology weigh only 14.9 grams (lighter than regular glasses) and can automatically record life moments. Experts argue that since 90% of human information comes from the eyes and ears, glasses are the ideal platform for AI integration—they could potentially replace smartphones as the primary smart device.
3. The Evolution of AI: From Chatbots to Practical Tools, with Mass Production of Robots on the Horizon
The direction of AI evolution is clear: it’s moving beyond mere chatbots to become integral parts of real-world applications:
- Large-Scale Models for Real-World Tasks: Alibaba, Baidu, and Tencent have developed large-scale models capable of handling massive amounts of data (e.g., processing the equivalent of a novel’s worth of information) and working in parallel. The focus is no longer on how smart the models are but on their ability to integrate into real business processes (e.g., assisting workers on production lines).
- AI on Smartphones: Jieyue Xingchen launched the world’s first smartphone with an AI operating system that can run AI tasks directly. Regulatory authorities have approved AI services on smartphones from Nubia and Huawei, indicating the beginning of a competitive landscape in this field.
- Robots in Action: Zhuyuan’s humanoid robots are being used for exhibition tours and hotel hospitality. Ant Group’s smart pharmacy robots can dispense medication in just 90 seconds. The biggest advancement in robotics lies in data collection; companies are gathering extensive real-world data to enhance robot capabilities. Tesla plans to mass-produce 100,000 Optimus robots by the end of the year, which Chinese companies see as a positive development that could boost the local manufacturing industry.
4. Chinese AI Going Global: A New Symbol of High-End Manufacturing
Chinese AI products are no longer limited to domestic use; they are becoming a major export highlight:
- Popular Large-Scale Models: Alibaba, Tencent, and Baidu’s open-source models are available for free to overseas developers. The world’s largest AI API platform shows that in February, the weekly usage of Chinese models surpassed that of American models for the first time. The number of paid users for Jieyue Xingchen’s Kimi model increased by four times, with products entering over 200 countries.
- Surging Hardware and Robot Exports: Leinniao AI glasses have a market share of over 40% in North America, Japan, and South Korea. Zhuyuan robots have obtained European and American certifications for global use. In the first four months of this year, 8.14 million robots were exported, worth 15.7 billion yuan, with a 210% increase in humanoid robot exports. Chinese robots have become a symbol of high-end manufacturing.
- A Strong Domestic Supply Chain: A well-developed domestic supply chain enables rapid product refinement. For example, Xinmou Technology’s glasses are first optimized domestically before being exported.
5. Global Cooperation: Collaborating for a Better AI Future
The conference’s theme was “Intelligent Partners, Creating the Future,” with over 1,400 guests from China and abroad discussing global governance issues. AI is too complex to be managed by any single country; challenges such as data security and ethics require international cooperation. China aims to provide affordable and reliable AI solutions for everyone.
In summary, the WAIC highlights that AI has moved beyond the laboratory into real-world applications. China demonstrates strong competitiveness across the entire AI industry chain, capable of meeting domestic needs while also exporting its technologies globally. The “Chinese approach” to AI could significantly impact future developments worldwide.