Experts and investors set to meet at the 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai

The 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference, running from July 26 to 28, has introduced four event "ecosystem brands": WAIC Future Tech, WAIC CONNECT, WAIC UP! and WAIC Young, to support development of the global AI industry.

WAIC Future Tech

During the WAIC 2025, Future Tech introduces the innovation incubation demonstration zone to support about 200 startup programs. More than 100 investment organizations and about 200 professional investors are ready to support research results commercialization.

"Our company achieved great results during the WAIC in 2024. We gained valuable product feedback that could help us enhance our product experience. We networked with several interested investors, established potential partnerships and secured a promising order. Overall, Future Tech has infused our company with new momentum and opportunities for future growth," said Chen Chao, CEO of Hangzhou Edgeware, who attended the WAIC 2024.

"SoftBank China places a strong emphasis on leveraging AI+X in vertical fields to shape its investment strategy and development direction. We firmly believe that the true value of artificial intelligence technology can only be fully realized through practical applications in real-world scenarios. Our primary focus is on how AI technology can significantly improve industry efficiency. We recommend that Future Tech consider expanding its scale, and we are highly interested in participating in the event again next year," said Alan Song, managing partner at SoftBank China Venture Capital when they participated in the WAIC 2024.

WAIC CONNECT

WAIC CONNECT is an industry matchmaking brand. It was designed to create pathways for the commercialization of AI technology.

During this year's exhibition, CONNECT is collaborating with businesses from more than 10 countries including the United Kingdom, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Malaysia to release more than 50 demands valued at 20 billion yuan ($2.78 billion), spanning urban renewal, outbound services, smart manufacturing and healthcare.

In 2024, WAIC CONNECT supported the matchmaking of 126 procurement plans with an intended amount of 15 billion yuan. It also assisted in connecting 210 upstream and downstream enterprises in the AI industry.

This year, CONNECT has hosted several of ine connection events. Through the "access to Sichuanbeilu subdistrict and Shengbang International Building" event, it delved into urban renewal scenarios, providing a precise matching platform for scenario providers and enterprises. The "link to Baoshan" event gathered government and corporate experts to explore new paths for the deep integration of AI and urban development, promoting high-quality regional growth. The "tour of CCTV" event showcased innovative applications of AI technology in media content production, distribution and interaction. Through case sharing, the tour offered valuable insights into and directions for the implementation of AI technology in the media sector. These events are expected to assist deals valued at hundreds of millions of yuan.

WAIC UP!

WAIC UP!, the conference publication, serves as a guide to the latest developments in AI. It also brings together diverse voices from fields like AI, sociology and philosophy, providing them with opportunities to share their perspectives on technological advancement, self-evolution and civilization development.

The special edition of WAIC UP! for the WAIC 2025 was of cially launched on June 28, and the WAIC UP! Night is scheduled for July 27. Global AI and cross-disciplinary pioneers are invited to participate in the event to foster intellectual exchanges and ignite inspiration.

Abdon Atangana, a professor in the Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics at the University of Pretoria in South Africa, shared his thoughts with WAIC UP! about how AI could contribute to environmental protection, social development, and public health in Africa.

"As an African researcher, my ongoing research project seeks to model how cemeteries influence the quality of groundwater throughout South Africa. Groundwater is a key resource for urban and rural residents alike in regions where surface water sources are few or unreliable. Groundwater contamination has become a severe concern as population growth and urbanization drive the expansion of cemeteries in close proximity to water sources. AI's involvement in this project results in a more robust and adaptable strategy for the assessment and minimization of cemeteries' environmental burdens to crucial groundwater reserves," said Atangana.

"The project aims to provide solutions that will serve as the basis for the establishment of policies that allow underground water to be managed safely while also respecting burial-related cultural practices. The outcomes from this research may not only benefit South Africa but can also give numerous benefits for other countries who are struggling with the same problem of cemeteries groundwater contamination," he added.

Junie Lau, a talented young female director and of cial artist at Google and OpenAI, has been leveraging cutting-edge AI technology to redefine the boundaries of art. She also expressed her perspectives with WAIC UP!

"How many genuinely talented individuals do you believe exist? In truth, the majority are simply ordinary, aren't they? I, too, am just a nobody among the ordinary. When average individuals long to express themselves, strive to create, and summon the courage to confront the crowd, the world doesn't provide ample stages for everyday people," said Lau. "Nonetheless, the advancement of AI has transformed seemingly insurmountable barriers into 'slightly ajar doors'; as long as you endeavor to push them open, you can catch a glimpse of new horizons beyond".

WAIC Young

Over the past few years, WAIC has placed emphasis on educating the younger generation to participate in AI-related activities. It focuses on nurturing teenagers to become future citizens with a combination of scientific literacy and ethical awareness in the era of human-machine symbiosis.

During the WAIC 2025, a themed event named When AI Meets Intangible Cultural Heritage, co-organized by the event organizers and the Shanghai Science and Technology Art Education Center, is to be held. Teenagers can experience traditional handicrafts and folk games supported by AI. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to participate in the United Nations' felting art co-creation, engaging in artistic collaborations with youth from across the globe.

"I am honored to participate in the When AI Meets Intangible Cultural Heritage event at the WAIC Young. This project has underscored for me the responsibility and potential of the younger generation in preserving intangible cultural heritage and crafting new cultural landscapes through technology. I am confident that the fusion of AI and intangible cultural heritage will give rise to even more dazzling cultural vistas," said Li Xiang, a high-school student from Shanghai Starriver Bilingual School.