Shanghai is set to host a pivotal gathering for the future of artificial intelligence, as China announced it has invited high-level representatives from over 40 countries and international organizations to attend the 2025 World AI Conference (WAIC) and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance. The event, scheduled for July 26-28, 2025, underscores China’s ambition to foster international cooperation and shape the discourse around AI’s development and governance.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang is slated to attend and address the opening ceremony, a testament to the significance China places on this year’s conference. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun emphasized that the rapid advancement of AI is a crucial driving force for a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation. Under the theme “Global Solidarity in the AI Era,” the conference aims to facilitate in-depth discussions on three core areas: deepening innovation cooperation to unleash the intelligence dividend, promoting inclusive development to bridge the digital divide, and strengthening collaborative governance to ensure AI serves the greater good.
This year’s WAIC, marking its eighth edition, is anticipated to be the largest yet, with an exhibition area exceeding 70,000 square meters and over 800 participating companies, with half hailing from outside Shanghai. More than 3,000 frontier products, including 40 large language models, 50 AI-powered devices, and 60 robots, are expected to be showcased, with over 100 products making their China or world debut.
The conference will also feature a dedicated area for venture investment and incubation, hosting over 200 startup projects from China and abroad in roadshows, connecting them with more than 100 investment institutions. This initiative highlights China’s commitment to nurturing AI innovation and attracting global talent and capital.
By bringing together leading experts, innovators, industry leaders, government officials, and international organizations, China aims to enhance solidarity, pursue shared development, and coordinate joint actions to promote the sound, orderly, beneficial, safe, and fair development of AI globally. The 2025 World AI Conference is positioned as a critical platform for shaping the future of AI through collective wisdom and collaboration.
