Launched in 2018, the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) has rapidly grown into one of the most consequential AI gatherings on the planet. The 2026 edition -- officially titled the "2026 WAIC and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance" -- will take place from July 17 to 20 across four major venues in Shanghai. Co-organized by ten central government ministries including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, together with the Shanghai Municipal Government, the event draws participants from over 100 countries and regions, hosts more than 140 forums, and features over 1,400 leading scientists, entrepreneurs, and policymakers. Since its inception, WAIC has convened more than 8,100 of the world's foremost AI minds, cementing its position as the definitive platform for tracking where artificial intelligence is headed.

Over the four days, Shanghai transforms into a living showcase of the AI future. Visitors can interact with next-generation humanoid robots, watch live demonstrations of cutting-edge large language models, and join high-level discussions on AGI safety, AI governance frameworks, and compute infrastructure strategy. From startup pitch sessions to executive roundtables hosted by the world's largest technology firms, the energy is palpable. This year's expanded multi-venue format -- spanning the Shanghai World Expo Center, World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center, Xuhui West Bund International Convention Center, and Zhangjiang Science Hall -- ensures that researchers, engineers, investors, and corporate leaders each find content tailored to their interests.

AI Infrastructure and Compute -- Chips, data centers, energy-efficient computing, and the full-stack innovation needed to scale AI responsibly.

Foundation Models and LLMs -- Live demonstrations of frontier large language models, multimodal AI systems, and open-source model ecosystems driving the next wave of innovation.

Humanoid Robots and Embodied AI -- Interactive showcases of next-generation humanoid robots, industrial automation arms, and service robots deployed across manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare.

AI Governance and Ethics -- Ministerial roundtables and expert sessions on global AI safety standards, regulatory approaches, and the governance agenda advanced by the United Nations resolution on AI.

AI + Industry Verticals -- Real-world AI deployments in healthcare, education, finance, smart manufacturing, and urban management, presented through live case studies from leading adopters.

Shanghai World Expo Center (Main Venue)

Address: 1099 Guozhan Road, Pudong, Shanghai, China

Additional Venues: World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center, Xuhui West Bund International Convention Center, Zhangjiang Science Hall

As a business travel service provider, we offer end-to-end support for international WAIC attendees, including visa invitation letters, preferential hotel booking near expo venues, inter-venue shuttle coordination, and guided tours of Shanghai's AI innovation districts. Contact us to plan your WAIC 2026 journey.