At the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2025, held in Shanghai, industry heavyweights and tech thinkers converged for a high-level roundtable titled “Intelligent Dialogues, Shared Future.” Their message was clear: China is not just building AI tech—it’s reshaping how the world thinks about AI collaboration, accessibility, and governance.
The July 27 event, hosted by the Foreign Affairs Office of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government and organized by China Daily, was staged in the sleek heights of Shanghai Tower. Moderated by foreign editors Stephanie Ann Stone and Owen Thomas Fishwick, the forum tackled China’s growing role in AI innovation—and the rising global responsibility that comes with it.
China’s AI Playbook: Strategic, Open, and Accelerating
The first session spotlighted China’s national approach to AI development, with an emphasis on policy support, algorithmic innovation, talent pipelines, and cross-border cooperation.
Wang Lei, chairman of Wenge Tech and researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, praised China’s open-source AI ecosystem, citing the DeepSeek model as a milestone in AI democratization. “AI is profoundly transforming our society and economy,” he said, emphasizing the vital role Chinese entrepreneurs play in global progress.
Michael Chan, CEO of UAE-based Zand Bank, shared how collaboration with Ant Digital Technologies helped reduce the cost of AI adoption in finance through a domain-specific large model—a nod to China’s growing footprint in AI export and tech diplomacy.
Real-World Impact: AI That Actually Works
If the first session was about strategy, the second was about results. From exoskeleton robotics to smart cities, the panelists underscored how AI is increasingly embedded in everyday life.
Zhu Guangxiang, product manager at Baidu Miaoda, called for AI to be “a technology carnival for all, not a game for a few.” He stressed that AI can uplift every industry by enhancing productivity and quality of life.
Jeff Shi, president of SenseTime Asia-Pacific, reflected on the company’s “monumental” 10-year AI journey. “We’ve seen both challenges and rewards. What we want now is to share our lessons with enterprise customers—domestically and abroad.”
Zhu Bin, global sales GM of ULS Robotics, provided one of the day’s more compelling examples. Founded in 2003, the company has become a leader in exoskeleton robot development, riding the wave of Shanghai’s vibrant AI ecosystem. “We thrive thanks to partners who provide large models, computing resources, and multilingual data,” he said. “Shanghai’s application scenarios and industrial chain offer fertile ground for innovation.”
Shanghai’s Role: From Pilot Zone to Global Hub
Panelists consistently returned to the theme of Shanghai as a living lab for AI. The city’s mix of strong policy frameworks, an open innovation climate, and a skilled global workforce was credited with turning R&D into real-world AI deployments.
Shanghai’s AI governance practices also earned praise, with several participants highlighting the city’s potential to influence global AI policy. With growing concerns around ethics, transparency, and regulation, China is positioning itself not only as a tech power but as a co-author of global AI rules.
The discussions dovetailed with broader goals to make AI development more inclusive and globally integrated. From digital banking in the Middle East to robotic mobility solutions in industrial settings, China’s AI is increasingly cross-border and cross-sector.
Bottom Line
WAIC 2025’s roundtable didn’t just echo the standard future-of-AI buzzwords. It showcased how China is weaving AI into industry, public service, and policy at scale, while inviting international cooperation along the way.
The takeaway? China isn’t just racing to lead in AI—it’s trying to redefine the race itself, with Shanghai as its innovation engine and collaboration as its calling card.
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