AI for Good Summit Opens in Geneva, China Calls for Cooperation

An international training program focused on industrial artificial intelligence concluded in Shanghai, bringing together partner countries of the Belt and Road Initiative. The event took place on July 4th and attracted over twenty participants from countries such as Hungary, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, the Philippines, Romania, Russia, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.

Program Content and Lectures

The program was organized by the Shanghai Institute for Artificial Intelligence with the support of China's Ministry of Science and Technology. It included academic lectures, factory tours, seminars, and cultural exchange. Experts from leading Chinese universities and research centers conducted courses on topics such as AI-based manufacturing, biomedical engineering, intelligent energy systems, international AI policy, industrial AI practices in China, and the integration of finance with artificial intelligence.

Visiting Technological Facilities

Participants also visited companies, innovation platforms, and industrial parks in eastern China, Shanghai, and Suzhou. This allowed them to gain firsthand experience in the development of humanoid robotics, quantum technologies, industrial automation, and AI incubation.

Experience Exchange and Cooperation

During specialized seminars, participants shared experiences from their home countries, discussing trends in industrial AI, talent development, and new models of international cooperation. Many noted that China's experience in linking technological innovation with industrial application could serve as a useful foundation for their own economies.

Closing and Development Plans

At the closing ceremony, certificates were presented by Xu Chun, Chairman of the Global AIM Center of Excellence at the UNIDO. Organizers stated that the program's goal was to strengthen AI potential and facilitate talent exchange among Belt and Road partners. The Shanghai Institute for Artificial Intelligence announced plans to expand cooperation in joint laboratories, industrial transformation, practical AI application, and talent development, as well as creating more open platforms for knowledge exchange and technological partnership.

Institute History

The Shanghai Institute for Artificial Intelligence (SAIRI), founded in 2019, is a joint venture between Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the Minhang District People's Government of Shanghai, Lingang Group, and SenseTime. The institute focuses on cutting-edge research, technology commercialization, talent development, and building an industrial ecosystem that promotes the implementation of AI innovations in real-world applications.

Organizers announced that the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) will take place in Shanghai from July 17 to 20, 2026. At a press conference on Tuesday, it was stated that the exhibition, new product presentations, and forum sessions will reach record levels.

Scale of the Event

The conference will cover three locations in the metropolis, utilizing four exhibition halls with a total area exceeding 100,000 square meters for the first time. Over a thousand exhibitors will present more than 3,000 advanced technologies, and over 300 AI-based products will debut globally. The event is scheduled to host more than 140 forums with the participation of over 1,400 experts from China and abroad.

Scientific Focus of the Conference

For the first time, the conference will feature a specialized academic track. WAIC Academic, a high-level international academic meeting on AI led by Turing award winners and international academics, will serve as a platform for scientific exchange.

Key Areas and Participants

The conference focuses on two key areas: intelligent computing and embodied intelligence. Each of these areas will attract over 200 enterprises. Industry representatives, key supply chain players, state-owned enterprises, and leading international companies will demonstrate the application of AI across various sectors.

Growth of the AI Industry in China

Organizers noted on Tuesday that the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) reported that the AI-related industry in China exceeded one trillion yuan (approximately $147 billion) last year, with projected growth of over 30% in 2026. The NDRC has established over 30 national AI pilot bases and stimulated state-owned enterprises to open over 1,000 application scenarios.

The penetration of general AI into key industries has exceeded 80%. Official NDRC spokesperson Wang Jiumeng stated that the agency will present two documents at the conference: a collection of successful cases covering over 20 countries in agriculture, industry, energy, and research, and an action plan for AI cooperation and development that covers eight areas, including intelligent computing, open ecosystem, AI empowerment, and security management.

AI Usage Statistics

According to NDRC data, in 2025, China exported over 100 million AI-based smart devices, and it is expected that sales of such devices will surpass non-AI model sales for the first time this year. In China, native AI office agents record over 20 million monthly visits, with daily token consumption reaching hundreds of trillions, representing a sharp increase compared to the previous year.

AI Development Plans

Under the fifteenth five-year plan (2026–2030), Wang noted that China will accelerate independent innovation in models, computing power, and data, find high value-added scenarios, and create benchmark applications. Furthermore, the impact of AI on employment will be studied, and its use in dangerous, dirty, and labor-intensive tasks will be promoted.