2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference

Approved by the State Council, the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) will be held in Shanghai, co-hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and other key governmental bodies. Since its inception in 2018, WAIC has successfully hosted eight sessions and has evolved into one of the most influential industry events in the global artificial intelligence sector. The conference aims to promote internationalization, high-end amenities, professional standards, and youth engagement, progressively establishing a high-end international cooperation and communication platform.

In 2026, the conference will continue to fulfill its important roles as a “technology trendsetter, application showcase, industry accelerator, and governance forum.” It will feature six core elements: conference forums, exhibitions, awards competitions, application experiences, innovation incubation, and talent recruitment. The event will bring together the world’s top scientists, entrepreneurs, government officials, experts, scholars, international organizations, investors, and startup teams, showcasing “Chinese wisdom” and the “Shanghai solution” to the world.

Focusing on leading-edge technologies, the conference aims to exhibit the empowering effects across various industries, striving to create the world’s largest industrial ecological cluster. The event will highlight four main industrial segments: core technologies, intelligent terminals, application empowerment, and metaverse technologies. Core technologies will include chips, software and algorithms, big data, computer vision, and more. Intelligent terminals will cover smart robots, core components, wearable devices, and smart home products. The application empowerment segment will feature digital health and smart healthcare, low-carbon energy, commercial retail, and smart manufacturing, while metaverse technologies will encompass human-computer interaction, virtual reality, and blockchain technology. This diverse showcase will help businesses seize industry opportunities and push for the widespread adoption of AI technologies and applications.