World Conference of Artificial Intelligence 2025 in Shanghai

The planet Artificial Intelligence Conference was held in Shanghai from 26 to 29 July.

During this year's conference China proposed the creation of an global organization to manage the improvement of artificial intelligence. This initiative aims to make common standards in a rapidly developing manufacture that has become a key field of technological competition between Beijing and Washington.

China's Global imagination vs. American Strategy

Prime Minister of China Li Qiang during his speech of the inaugural conference, he stressed that present AI regulations are fragmented, and differences between countries – especially on legal and conceptual issues – hinder cooperation.

"Key resources and opportunities are concentrated in the hands of a fewer countries and companies. If we let a technological monopoly, AI will become a game only for the chosen” – he warned Li, referring indirectly to American restrictions on exports of advanced semiconductor chips, essential for the improvement of artificial intelligence.

His words fell only a fewer days after the administration Donald Trump presented 28-page Action Plan, to guarantee US dominance in this area by reducing "bureaucratic obstacles".

Armour Race in AI: billions of dollars of investment

China does not hide its ambition – according to the April 2025 data, the country has over 5000 AI companies, and the value of the indigenous sector of the manufacture reaches 600 billion yuan ($84 billion). The government and private sector are spending immense amounts of money on technology development:

• From 2013 to 2023 State venture capital funds invested about $209 billion in AI-related companies (National Bureau of economical Research).
• In 2025 alone. public spending on AI is expected to exceed 400 billion yuan (56 billion dollars).

Although the US inactive spends more (in 2024). private investments in AI amounted to $109.1 billion, which is 12 times more than in China), it is China that is catching up quickly. As of 2017, they study more generic AI patents than all another countries combined (World Intellectual Property Organization).

Breakthrough AI models from China

During the WAIC, the fresh successes of Chinese start-ups were besides highlighted:

• DeepSeek R1 – model developed for just $5.6 millionwhich surpassed the performance of Meta and Anthropic solutions.
• Kimi K2 from Moonshot – cheaper and at the same time more efficient than any Google and OpenAI models.

According to analysts, Morgan Stanley Chinese AI marketplace can accomplish a return on investment at 52% by 2030.

New technologies presented at WAIC 2025

The conference was besides an chance to present the latest robotic solutions and gadgets:

• Keenon Robotics showed a two-legged robot serving popcorn.
• Unitree He amazed the audience. G1 – a boxing humanoidwhich became a hit on social media.
• Alibaba presented intelligent AI glasses, a ZTE – cute robot-association for the household.
• And they didn't run out. Robotic dogs dancing to the rhythm of music (China Mobile) and a humanoid playing mahjonga (PsiBot).

Request for global cooperation

Secretary-General ASEAN Dr. Kao Kim Hourn called for creation effective AI regulationsto counter threats specified as misinformation and cyber attacks.

"As the world's largest economies, the US and China should work together" – added erstwhile Google CEO Eric Schmidt.

But will rivalry between the powers lead to common standards? The answer can bring upcoming negotiation gathering on 12 AugustWhen the current ceasefire of trade arms between Beijing and Washington expires.

Leszek B. Glass

Email: [email protected]

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