The 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference will run from July 17 to 20, with its citywide program kicking off two days earlier.

From July 15 to 20, WAIC City Walk 2026 will offer hands-on AI experiences in historic neighborhoods, innovation hubs, cultural venues, and commercial spaces throughout Shanghai.

Eight featured AI venues

Zhangyuan, Jing'an district

An embodied AI robot will make coffee in a century-old shikumen complex.

META500, Jing'an district

At META500, a historic villa will be transformed into an immersive XR space where technology meets art.

SMC × Z·Pilot, Xuhui district

The Z·Pilot experience space at the Shanghai Foundation Model Innovation Center (SMC) will showcase more than 500 cutting-edge AI devices from around the world for visitors to see and try.

AGI Bar, Xuhui district

AGI Bar will feature neural-network-inspired lighting and an AI-generated drinks menu.

Jaguar Shanghai Symphony Hall, Xuhui district

MR and VR technologies will turn Yuja Wang's piano performance into an immersive sensory experience.

MetAI Hub, Pudong New Area

The nearly 2,000-square-meter MetAI Hub will showcase the entire development chain, from algorithm research to embodied AI applications.

Shanghai Carbon Secret Museum, Hongkou district

Visitors can interact with a motion-activated digital exhibit focused on sustainable living and a DeepSeek AI agent.

Shanghai Film Park, Songjiang district

Visitors can walk through the life-size Huanghe Road set built for the television series Blossoms Shanghai.

 

Six industry routes

Available July 18 to 20, the six routes are designed for industry professionals, corporate delegations, and conference groups. Advance registration is available via the Hi WAIC app.

AI innovation ecosystem route

The route visits Model Power Community and the SMC, home to leading companies specializing in vertical large models and embodied AI.

At the exhibition hall of the Operation Base for the China-BRICS Artificial Intelligence Development and Cooperation Center, participants can try out AI glasses and an AI-powered virtual outfit try-on experience.

AI science exploration route

The route visits the Zhangjiang AI Robot Valley Future Experience Hall and the country's first embodied AI training facility for heterogeneous humanoid robots. The facility has more than 10 types of robots and over 100 training stations covering intelligent manufacturing, public services, and specialized applications.

AI culture and entertainment route

At Shanghai Film Group's Haopu Smart Industry Community, participants can explore the country's first AI computing power pool dedicated to film and television, along with a virtual production studio. The route demonstrates how AI is used throughout the production process, from scriptwriting and filming to post-production.

It also includes interactions with embodied AI robots at Zhangyuan and an AI industry salon at AGI Bar.

Digital industry and consumer route

At the Siemens Smart Manufacturing Innovation Center, visitors can observe a dual-arm robot barista and explore a virtual factory using VR. At Beauty Nova Tech Hub, they can receive AI-powered skin and scalp assessments.

Industrial innovation ecosystem route

At Maqiao AI Innovation Pilot Zone, 18 writing robots will trace the evolution of AI from the Turing test to the era of AI agents. An interactive digital model and robotic arms will also showcase the area's vision for future development.

Yangtze River Delta sci-tech innovation route

The route visits the Yangtze River Delta Hi-Tech Park and the Xicen Sci-tech Innovation Center in Qingpu district, offering a closer look at collaborative innovation in the Yangtze River Delta's AI industry.

 

How to join

Download the Hi WAIC app and complete real-name registration to generate a personal City Walk pass. The app can be used to book the classic routes at the three conference venues or one of the six industry routes.

Each of the six industry routes incorporates story-based missions. At participating locations, participants can tap their phones against an Alipay NFC sign to check in and collect digital stamps. They can redeem rewards based on the number of locations they visit, including WAIC-themed blind boxes, limited-edition notebooks, commemorative T-shirts, gift sets, and computing-power vouchers.

 

Sources: World Artificial Intelligence Conference, Shanghai Morning Post