This weekend, Shanghai, China, will host one of the world’s most anticipated technology events: the 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC).
More than 800 companies will gather to present their latest advancements in AI. And despite ongoing U.S. sanctions, both Chinese and Western firms will take part.
Companies such as Alibaba, Huawei, and Tencent will be joined by Western names like Tesla, Amazon, and Alphabet.
China’s AI
Chinese Premier Li Qiang will deliver the opening address. His presence signals the government’s deep commitment to AI.
Beijing views artificial intelligence as a key driver of economic growth. It also sees AI as central to national security and global influence.
China has already set a huge target: to become the world leader in AI by 2030. To achieve this, the government is investing heavily in research, infrastructure, and local talent.
U.S. Sanctions
However, China’s ambitions face rivalry. The United States continues to impose strict export controls.
These rules block Chinese firms from accessing high-end chips and semiconductor tools.
The U.S. argues that such technologies could strengthen China’s military. Still, Chinese companies continue to push forward with their own innovations.
Many Chinese firms now develop in-house models and hardware. As a result, local breakthroughs have become more frequent.
DeepSeek
One such breakthrough came from a Chinese startup, DeepSeek. The company built a low-cost AI language model that rivals top systems from the U.S.
Its tool performs tasks like content creation, translation, and coding. It offers impressive quality at a much lower price and has drawn international attention.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang praised DeepSeek during a visit to Beijing. He called the work of DeepSeek, Alibaba, and Tencent “world class.”
AI Products
The WAIC will showcase more than 3,000 products. These include 40 large language models, 50 smart devices, and 60 intelligent robots.
Companies will unveil robots that walk, speak, and assist with daily tasks. Some can serve in healthcare, disaster relief, or education. Others offer support in logistics and customer service.
Startups such as Unitree will also take part. Unitree creates agile humanoid robots, widely known for their lifelike movement and quick reflexes.
Western Companies
Despite the tensions, U.S. companies such as Tesla, Alphabet, and Amazon will attend the event.
Although they may not present new hardware, their presence reflects China’s importance as a market and innovation hub.
Some firms collaborate through cloud services or research partnerships. Others simply observe to stay informed.
