Beijing — Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony and deliver a keynote speech at the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance, scheduled for July 17–20 in Shanghai, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on July 13.
The announcement, made by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian at a regular press briefing, marks one of the highest-profile international AI events in China this year. Xi will use the occasion to "comprehensively elaborate China’s policy positions and vision on AI development and governance," Lin said.
A Record-Breaking Showcase
The 2026 World AI Conference, themed "Intelligent Partner, Co-creating the Future," is jointly organized by 10 ministries and Shanghai Municipal Government. This year’s edition has set new records across the board:
- 140+ forums and conferences covering AI research, ethics, and industrial applications
- Over 100,000 square meters of exhibition space — the largest in the event’s history
- 300+ global product launches planned, including frontier embodied robots and large language models
- Venues spanning three districts: Pudong Expo, Zhangjiang, and West Bund
WAIC-Academic: A New Academic Pillar
For the first time, the conference will host WAIC-Academic, a high-level international AI research conference chaired by Turing Award laureate Yao Qizhi and co-chaired by Richard Sutton, known as the "father of reinforcement learning." The program received 284 submissions from more than 10 countries and regions.
A Global Governance Platform
Beyond the exhibitions and academic forums, the conference establishes itself as a key platform for international AI governance dialogue. The Chinese government has reiterated its commitment to "promoting inclusive AI development, ensuring AI benefits all of humanity, and injecting new momentum into global AI progress."
The 2026 event follows last year’s conference that drew over 1,000 exhibitors and 500,000 visitors, cementing Shanghai’s role as a global hub for artificial intelligence innovation and policy.
Source: Xinhua, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, July 13, 2026