AI moves from labs to real-world applications at 2026 WAIC

The 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), which recently concluded in Shanghai, highlighted the rapid expansion of AI from research and development into factories, healthcare, offices, and other real-world applications.

The conference covered more than 100,000 square meters for the first time, with more than 1,100 companies presenting over 3,000 exhibits. More than 300 products made their global debut, while more than 1,400 Chinese and international guests attended.

One of the most visible changes was in embodied intelligence. While the 2024 WAIC featured 25 humanoid robots, more than 200 companies in the field participated this year, reflecting a shift from demonstrating appearances and functions toward practical deployment.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said China accounted for as much as 90 percent of global humanoid robot shipments in 2025, with domestic production expected to exceed 100,000 units this year. Wei Liang, vice-president of the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, attributed the progress to stronger large language models, lower component costs, and growing scenario-based data.

AI computing also drew attention, with domestically produced computing technologies and new infrastructure on display. Huawei presented a super-node architecture linking 1,024 Ascend computing cards, while other companies demonstrated AI devices and computing solutions.

Shanghai's AI sector has grown nearly fourfold in the seven years since the first WAIC, according to Tang Wenkan, director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization.

The conference also focused on AI governance and safety, with experts calling for closer cooperation among scientists, businesses, policymakers, and social scientists as AI development accelerates.

The event underscored the growing role of AI as a tool for industrial applications while highlighting the need to develop corresponding standards and governance frameworks.