Summary of Key Highlights
This year’s WAIC (World Artificial Intelligence Conference) was an absolute sensation, attracting the largest number of exhibitors in its history. Embodied intelligence (robots) took center stage, with intense competition that bordered on survivalism within the industry; AI companies showed clear differentiation, with both giants and the “Six Little Tigers” showcasing their unique capabilities. The token economy became a industry-wide consensus, while ChatBots faded in popularity and Agents rose to the forefront. The atmosphere at the conference was both passionate and realistic, reminiscent of the vitality seen during economic upturns.
1. Robots in Frenzy: From Dancing to Cooking, Yet Still Less Efficient Than Day-Wage Workers
Embodied intelligence was the hottest topic at the exhibition, accounting for nearly half of all exhibits. In the past, robots would gain attention by dancing or boxing; now, they’re striving to prove their practical value—making tea, cooking, and providing physical assistance (such as massaging shoulders). For example, Yuzhu’s GD01 humanoid robot occupied a prominent position at the main entrance, and JD.com even had housekeepers equipped with cameras to collect data for robot training. There was also a company called Yimu Technology that developed tactile sensors for robots to give them a more human-like “touch.”
Don’t worry about robots taking jobs—most of their efficiency is quite low; many demonstration videos need to be slowed down to be visible. For now, “doing it right” is more important than “doing it fast.” What’s truly impressive is the sense of collective momentum within the industry, as China once again demonstrates its potential to compete on a global scale.
2. AI Companies in Various Stages of Development
The “Six Little Tigers” of AI were all present (except Zhipu), each with their own unique approach:
- Zero One Everything: CEO Kai-Fu Lee personally managed the exhibition, claiming, “There are not six little tigers, but five tigers and one leopard; my company is the leopard.”
- Jieyue: Offered the best user experience; their AI phone exhibit was so popular that they had to use a giant Lego structure for demonstration.
- Kimi: Had a small booth but attracted a lot of media attention due to their powerful K3 model, which allowed them to “win effortlessly” by leveraging existing technology.
- Minimax: Provided coding services while also focusing on multi-modal creativity, combining technical prowess with a humanistic touch.
The performance of the big companies varied:
- Tencent: showcased a comprehensive range of AI assistants (Agents) to compensate for their model shortcomings.
- Alibaba: Highlighted their full-stack capabilities (chips, models, hardware), but refused to let visitors touch their new AI headphones, claiming they were too advanced for demonstration.
- WeChat: Tried to promote AI-powered sticker printing in a somewhat half-hearted manner.
- Baidu: Still emphasized the outdated concept of “daily active intelligent entities (DAA).”
- ByteDance: Didn’t have an official booth, but their Nubia phone became a highlight; there were also creative initiatives like using the Nubia logo on robots.
3. Changing Industry Trends: Tokens Become In Demand, ChatBots Lose Popularity
Several notable trends emerged this year:
1. Token economy becomes a consensus: China Mobile sold tokens as a form of digital currency, offering them to over 300 companies; some intermediaries saw tokens as the next big opportunity.
2. ChatBots fade, Agents rise: Almost every company now uses Agents to demonstrate AI’s productivity value.
3. AI glasses cool down: Products became more standardized with fewer highlights, shifting focus to business applications (inspection, teaching).
4. OPC (one-person companies) lose momentum: Their booths were less crowded, indicating that AI cannot easily replace traditional corporate structures.
4. The Exhibition Scene Is Even More Dynamical Than the AI Highlights
The real-life aspects of the conference were even more engaging:
- FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out): Many ordinary people attended at their own expense, fearing they would fall behind.
- Job Hunting: People directly approached tech companies with their resumes, adopting innovative but effective methods.
- Energy on the Ground Floor: Small startups with limited budgets set up simple booths; for example, Hangzhou’s “Golden Toad” hardware company attracted much attention.
- Weather and Organizational Activities: The heat in midsummer required ice packs for relief; there was a surge of networking activities outside the exhibition—investors discussing projects, media members boasting, and business travelers socializing, reminiscent of a booming economy.
Final Thoughts
Is there a bubble? It doesn’t really matter; let’s just get to work. No one cares about whether there’s a bubble or not. As the saying goes, “Before a bubble bursts, it shines with a dazzling halo, and it is within that halo that humanity changes the world.” Let’s wait and see what next year’s WAIC brings!
(P.S.: That automatic hair dryer… I really want to buy one; who wouldn’t love freedom of hands?)