China kicks off largest AI conference in Shanghai as tech rivalry with the US heats up

China’s largest artificial intelligence (AI) conference will kick off in Shanghai this Thursday, with mainland enterprises expected to present innovations that could help the country narrow the gap with the United States in the technology’s development.

Premier Li Qiang will deliver the opening speech at the 2024 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), which concludes on Saturday, as the event’s main theme of “Governing AI for Good and for All” highlights the country’s efforts to lead the creation of vital AI standards amid stifling US sanctions and rising tensions between Beijing and Washington.

The seventh edition of WAIC, where more than 1,500 AI-related products and systems are expected to be exhibited, will be held just days after Beijing scored a diplomatic win in the United Nations.

On Monday, the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a China-led resolution that calls on the international community to create a “free, open, inclusive and non-discriminatory” business environment among wealthy and developing nations for AI development.