Chinese AI Startups Shine at Shanghai Conference
The 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai has once again put the spotlight on China's rapidly advancing AI sector, with innovative startups taking center stage alongside global technology giants. The event's record-breaking attendance and product launches underscore China's ambition to be a world leader in artificial intelligence.
Record Participation and Global Reach
An unprecedented 800 companies, over half from outside Shanghai or abroad, showcased more than 3,000 cutting-edge products at the conference, which took place from July 26 to 28 across multiple major venues in the city. Among them, the presence of emerging startups was highly notable, with over 200 up-and-coming AI companies featured in the exhibition's new Future Tech hatchery zone. The conference area itself expanded to 70,000sq.m, up by more than a third compared to last year, marking a significant milestone for the annual gathering.
Innovation, Partnerships, and Practical Impact
The WAIC is not just a technology display; it is a catalyst for cross-border cooperation, academic exchange, and industrial partnership. The event featured over 100 world-first debuts, including advanced large language models, AI-powered smart devices, and more than 60 types of intelligent robots. These innovations covered real-world applications, from industrial automation and robotics to consumer technologies like AI glasses and companion robots.
Shanghai Vice-Mayor Chen Jie highlighted that the conference is a turning point for China's AI industry, as over 300 purchase orders were placed during the three-day event for a combined value exceeding 16.2billion yuan. The practical discussions and high volume of orders illustrated the maturity and commercialization of AI technologies being developed by Chinese startups.
Focus on Global Governance and Sustainable AI Growth
Beyond product launches, WAIC 2025 also addressed the global implications of AI technology, with a high-level meeting on worldwide AI governance featuring participants from nearly 40 countries. China proposed establishing an international cooperation organization for AI with its headquarters in Shanghai, aiming to promote ethical standards and collaborative development in the industry.
Driving Economic Growth and Setting New Standards
This year, Shanghai took concrete steps to consolidate its leadership in AI, launching a 1billion yuan subsidy program to lower entry barriers for startups and boost data infrastructure. This move is designed to strengthen Shanghai's reputation as an ideal place for entrepreneurs, while making it easier for young AI companies to scale up and innovate.
The impact of these efforts is already visible: The AI sector now drives high-quality economic growth, and the city is positioning itself at the forefront of technological innovation. The new Shanghai AI Corporate Venture Capital Fund was officially announced at the event, with an initial investment of 3billion yuan to further accelerate AI development and support emerging companies.
The success of the 2025 WAIC demonstrated that China is no longer just following global tech trends but setting them, leveraging a blend of hardware and software innovation, real-world applications, and a global vision to shape the future of artificial intelligence.