Global tech tycoons to join WAIC in Shanghai

Top executives from tech companies around the world will speak at World Artificial Intelligence Conference, which will open on September 17 later in Shanghai.

The event will show how AI “boosts economy and changes people’s life.” It’s a platform to showcase latest AI applications covering transport, finance, retail, health care, smart manufacturing, education and services industries, organizers said.

According to a latest statement, the WAIC is expected to attract 270 speakers including top business executives and leading researchers. Lei Jun, Xiaomi’s chairman and CEO; Li Yanhong, Baidu’s chairman and CEO; Pony Ma, Tencent’s chairman and CEO; Jack Ma, Alibaba’s chairman; Xu Zhijun, Huawei’s rotating chairman, and Jay Yagnik, Google’s vice president, are confirmed to attend the event.

Researchers including Nobel Prize winners and Turing Award Winners will share their thoughts during the event.

The artificial intelligence industry in Shanghai is expanding rapidly. Firms involved in its various sectors are expected to show annual output of more than 100 billion yuan (US$15 billion) within two to three years, compared with 70 billion yuan in 2017.

Shanghai brings unique advantages to the table. It is an innovative hub in sectors that use AI technologies, such as digitally connected cars, smart manufacturing and medical image recognition.

During WAIC, information technology giants and research institutions, including Alibaba, Baidu, Google, Huawei, Microsoft, SAIC, SAP and Tencent, will be sending representatives. But the conference will also afford smaller, local startups with the opportunity to show off their cutting-edge technologies, such as Chinese startups like Yitu and SenseTime offering AI algorithms.

The organizers include the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and Shanghai government.

WAIC conference will be held between September 17-19.