Core Insights - The 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) commenced on July 26, 2025, in Shanghai, focusing on the theme "Intelligent Era, Shared Future" [1] - The conference aims to position itself as a global hub for AI, fostering innovation and collaboration within the AI ecosystem [1] Exhibition Highlights - The exhibition area exceeded 70,000 square meters, featuring over 800 companies and more than 3,000 cutting-edge products, marking the largest scale in history [2] - Notable exhibits included 40 large models, 50 AI terminal products, and 60 intelligent robots, with many products making their global or national debut [2] - Siemens showcased its Industrial Copilot intelligent system, allowing attendees to experience its capabilities in real production scenarios [2] Industry Growth - According to iResearch, China's AI industry is projected to grow from 213.7 billion yuan in 2022 to 269.7 billion yuan in 2024, with an average growth rate of 25.7% [3] - By the end of 2025, the market size is expected to reach 352.2 billion yuan, indicating AI's increasing integration into various sectors [3] Autonomous Driving Developments - The conference featured an autonomous driving experience with L4-level smart connected vehicles, showcasing advancements in the industry [4] - Shanghai is accelerating the development of smart transportation, with plans to issue demonstration operation licenses for intelligent connected vehicles during the conference [4] Shanghai AI Ecosystem - The number of AI companies in Shanghai has surged from approximately 1,000 in 2018 to over 10,000 in 2025, with employment rising from 100,000 to nearly 300,000 [5] - The industry scale is expected to exceed 400 billion yuan by 2024, highlighting the rapid growth of the AI sector in Shanghai [5] Global Collaboration and Governance - The conference will host numerous forums focusing on AI infrastructure, intelligent terminals, and new industrialization, promoting international dialogue on AI advancements [7] - Initiatives such as the "International AI Open Source Cooperation Initiative" aim to foster global collaboration in AI technology and governance [8] - China is increasingly playing a significant role in establishing international cooperation frameworks for AI capability building [8]