Shanghai's "artificial intelligence + consumption" carnival and AI-powered consumer goods experience week kicked off at the Suning Wujiaochang store in Yangpu district on June 17.

The event showcases a wide range of imaginative AI-powered products — from smart home appliances and entertainment gadgets to wearable tech.

Among the highlights is a television that doesn't just respond to voice commands — it tells stories.

In a demonstration, a salesperson asked the TV to tell the story of Snow White. Within 30 seconds, the screen came alive with AI-generated illustrations as a lifelike voice began narrating the classic fairytale.

Powered by Coocaa's AI system, the TV can also answer questions, check the weather and help book high-speed rail tickets.

Nearby, a talking AI doll drew a lot of attention. Equipped with DeepSeek's large language models, the smart toy is now available for pre-sale at around 200 yuan (about $27.85) and has already launched on major e-commerce platforms.

Plans are also underway to introduce the product to markets in Russia, the United States and Vietnam.

Experts say AI is set to revolutionize the entire customer-centric supply chain — from market forecasting and product design to supply chain management. At the event, the Shanghai Electronic Commerce Promotion Center unveiled 20 exemplary cases of "AI+" applications in the retail and business sectors.

Notable innovations include an AI-powered smart scale by Alibaba Group's supermarket chain Freshippo. It's capable of recognizing over 1,000 types of produce and groceries in under 0.8 seconds — significantly speeding up checkout. The patented technology is now being shared with retailers like RT-Mart.

Meanwhile, online fashion platform Dewu is using AI for product authentication. Its system analyzes textures, logos and craftsmanship of products using image data, then compares them to a database of verified items to detect counterfeits.

With a vast consumer base and a wide range of shopping scenes, Shanghai is rapidly becoming a dynamic hub for AI-powered retailing. As AI technology continues to evolve, smart consumer goods are expected to enter more households — and AI business tools will be adopted by more stores — bringing futuristic retail experiences closer to reality.

Source: Shanghai Observer