- The World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2025 was held from July 26th to 29th at the Shanghai World Expo Center and Exhibition and Convention Center.
- The event aimed to showcase China's advancements in AI and robotics, fostering global collaboration and a dialogue on the future of these technologies. The theme was "Global Solidarity in the AI Era."
- The conference featured the "WAIC Robotics Street," where new robotic products were showcased. Highlights included the Unitree R1 Intelligent Companion and the bipedal humanoid service robot XMAN by Keenon Robotics, as well as the industrial heavy-duty robot Cyborg-R01 by Cyborg Robotics.
- The article mentions new advancements in robotic systems, such as the robotic arm powered by Tencent Robotics X's VLA Large-Language Model, which allows for natural dialogue and autonomous motion planning.
- Prominent figures like AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton emphasized the need for global cooperation on AI. A new international body, the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, with its headquarters in Shanghai, was proposed to establish a global governance framework for AI.
The air in Shanghai was electric. It wasn't just the summer heat; it was the hum of innovation, the buzz of global collaboration, and the soft whir of a thousand new machines. From July 26th to 29th, 2025, the Shanghai World Expo Center and Exhibition and Convention Center became the epicenter of the AI revolution, hosting the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC). This was more than a trade show; it was a gathering of the minds, a global forum with a singular, powerful theme: "Global Solidarity in the AI Era."
The objective of WAIC was clear: to showcase China's advancements in AI and robotics and to foster a dialogue on the future of these technologies. It was a platform for tech pros, industry leaders, and policymakers from over 30 countries to discuss not just what AI can do, but how it should be governed. The conference, which has been held in Shanghai for eight consecutive years, has become a pivotal stage for academic exchange, industrial collaboration, and partnership negotiations.
A Glimpse into the Future
This year’s conference was the largest to date, with a staggering 70,000 square meters of exhibition space and over 800 exhibiting companies. More than 3,000 cutting-edge products were on display, with over 100 making their global or China debut. The most captivating section was the "WAIC Robotics Street," a living, breathing microcosm of a retro-futuristic Shanghai. In this blended reality, humanoid robots served popcorn and drinks, performed calligraphy, and even played drums, demonstrating a level of dexterity and versatility that was both impressive and a little unsettling.
One of the most talked-about products was the Unitree R1 Intelligent Companion, the third-generation humanoid robot from Hangzhou-based Unitree Robotics. At a mere 25 kilograms, this agile robot is equipped with a multimodal Large Language Model (LLM), allowing it to understand voice and vision commands seamlessly. The highlight was undoubtedly the robot boxing ring, where Unitree's humanoid robot G1 showed off its 29 flexible joints and intelligent balance algorithm, throwing punch combos and spinning kicks with uncanny grace.
Another head-turner was the bipedal humanoid service robot XMAN by Keenon Robotics, making its global debut. Designed for the hospitality and catering industries, XMAN demonstrated advanced interactive capabilities, hinting at a future where robots are not just tools but intelligent colleagues. In the industrial sector, Shenzhen-based Cyborg Robotics unveiled the Cyborg-R01, China's first heavy-duty humanoid robot built for tasks like handling heavy loads, signaling a move toward the intelligent transformation of manufacturing.
Beyond the hardware, the software and systems behind these robots were just as important. Dobot Robotics showcased a new robotic arm powered by Tencent Robotics X's VLA Large-Language Model. This model allows the robotic arm to engage in natural dialogue and autonomously generate motion plans, proving that the "brain" of the robot is just as crucial as its body.
The Great Debate: AI for Humanity
While the exhibitions captivated the crowds, the forums and talks set the stage for a more profound conversation. The conference was graced by 12 laureates of prestigious awards, including the Nobel Prize and the Turing Award. The keynote speech by the "Godfather of AI," Geoffrey Hinton, was particularly noteworthy. In his first-ever public address in China, Hinton urged for global cooperation on AI. He warned that as we create ever-more intelligent machines, we are "raising a tiger" that could one day outsmart us.
"Humans have grown accustomed to being the most intelligent species in the world—what if that's no longer the case?"
-Geoffrey Hinton
This sentiment was echoed in the "Global AI Policy Dialogue and Collaboration Development" forum, co-hosted by UNESCO and China University of Political Science and Law. Here, the focus was on establishing global governance frameworks for AI. Chinese Premier Li Qiang proposed the creation of a new international body, the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, with its headquarters in Shanghai. He emphasized the urgent need for a globally recognized framework, stating, "How to find a balance between development and security urgently requires further consensus from the entire society."
The WAIC 2025 was a powerful testament to the accelerating pace of AI and robotics development, but it was also a critical reminder of the human responsibility that comes with it. As the lights dimmed and the last robot was put away, the message was clear: the future is here, and it’s up to us to ensure it's built on a foundation of "Global Solidarity in the AI Era."
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