TLDR: The 8th World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC 2025) is scheduled to take place in Shanghai from July 26-28, 2025, with an exhibition extending to July 29. Under the theme “Global Solidarity in the AI Era,” the conference aims to foster international collaboration and showcase advancements in AI technology, featuring over 800 exhibitors, 3,000 exhibits, and a diverse range of global participants.
The 8th World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC 2025) is set to convene in Shanghai from July 26 to 28, 2025, with its accompanying exhibition running until July 29. This landmark event, themed “Global Solidarity in the AI Era,” will be hosted across the Shanghai World Expo Center and the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center, solidifying Shanghai’s position as a leading hub for AI innovation and development.
WAIC 2025 is designed to be a comprehensive platform for global experts, industry leaders, and policymakers to delve into the future trajectory of AI technology and the frameworks for global AI governance. The conference anticipates a significant international presence, with over 1,200 guests from more than 30 countries and regions. This includes 12 laureates of prestigious awards such as the Turing Award and Nobel Prize, over 80 Chinese and international academicians, and representatives from international bodies like the United Nations Industrial Development Organization.
The exhibition component of WAIC 2025 will be unprecedented in scale, featuring an area exceeding 70,000 square meters for the first time. Over 800 Chinese and international exhibitors are expected to showcase more than 3,000 cutting-edge products and services. Notably, half of the participating companies are from outside Shanghai, including other Chinese cities and international markets. Among the exhibitors are at least 60 industry leaders, such as Siemens and Schneider Electric, alongside 50 State-owned enterprises. The exhibits will include over 40 large language models, 50 AI-powered devices, and 60 robots, with more than 100 products making their China or world debut.
A key initiative at WAIC 2025 will be the release of the “China AI Safety Commitment Framework,” underscoring the conference’s commitment to balancing technological innovation with robust risk governance and fostering international consensus on collaboration.
Shanghai’s robust AI ecosystem provides a strong foundation for the conference. In Q1 2025, the city’s AI industry scale surpassed 118 billion yuan, and its talent pool accounts for one-third of the national total. Leveraging these resources, WAIC will introduce a “WAIC City Walk” smart experience loop, demonstrating the practical applications of new technologies like drone commuting and low-altitude economy across daily life services, urban transportation, and industrial ecosystems.
The conference will also feature dedicated zones for venture investment and incubation, with over 200 startup projects from China and abroad holding roadshows to connect with more than 100 investment institutions. The “Future Tech” innovation incubation zone will select 200 top-tier AI startups globally to showcase their technologies, offering exhibition exposure, roadshow opportunities, and investment matchmaking.
WAIC 2025 will cover ten major sectors, including AI infrastructure, scientific intelligence, smart devices, AI-empowered new-type industrialization, and AI’s integration with finance. The conference also includes the WAIC China-ASEAN AI Forum 2025, focused on “Advocate Trustworthy AI Business Globally with AI for Humanity,” emphasizing building bilateral AI for humanity ecosystems and empowering trustworthy AI business.
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Since its inception in 2018, the World Artificial Intelligence Conference has consistently served as a vital platform for global AI academic exchanges, industry collaboration, exhibition displays, and partnership negotiations, bringing together influential figures in the field of artificial intelligence.
