TIANJIN: The 2026 World Intelligence Expo opened in Tianjin, north China, bringing together over 700 exhibitors to present cutting-edge technologies, products, and applications in the field of artificial intelligence (AI).
Co-hosted by the municipal governments of Tianjin and Chongqing, the four-day event’s theme is ‘Intelligence: Extensive Development Space, Sustainable Growth Driver’. It features seven exhibition zones covering embodied AI, core AI technologies, the low-altitude economy, and commercial space exploration, spanning a total area of 130,000 square metres.
The expo has drawn leading companies, including Fortune Global 500 firms and top domestic AI enterprises.Industry insiders noted that the integration of AI is accelerating, enhancing efficiency in traditional sectors and creating new business models.
Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology Ke Jixin emphasised the ministry’s commitment to promoting high-quality AI industry development, advancing the ‘AI plus manufacturing’ initiative, boosting innovation capabilities and improving the industrial environment.
Liu Liehong, head of the National Data Administration, highlighted the importance of high-quality datasets as both a technical resource and an innovation engine for intelligent upgrading in advanced manufacturing.
“We support industry leaders and pilot entities in building high-quality datasets in key sectors, including automobile manufacturing, shipbuilding, rail transit, non-ferrous metals and petrochemicals,” Liu added.
With many countries looking to empower industries through AI, China is actively promoting international cooperation.
Chen Jiachang, Vice Minister of Science and Technology, said, “We are making AI a priority in bilateral and multilateral technology cooperation, deepening international collaboration, and strengthening both technological innovation and capacity building.”
Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador to China, expressed optimism about collaboration, noting that China’s approach to leveraging technology to improve lives aligns with the UAE’s vision of a knowledge-based, future-oriented economy.
He highlighted significant opportunities for cooperation between China and the UAE in AI, advanced technology, and the digital economy. Despite global competition in AI, Wan Gang, president of the China Association for Science and Technology, emphasised that win-win collaboration remains the mainstream goal.
China is sharing its AI application experience in smart cities, manufacturing, and agriculture with developing countries, offering inclusive products and services to address common challenges.
Kazakhstan, one of this year’s guest countries of honour, also participated actively.Zhuldyz Serik, senior manager of Astana Hub, an innovation cluster for IT startups in Kazakhstan, engaged in discussions with Chinese tech companies.
“I am impressed by China’s rapid advancements, especially in electric vehicles and AI.Chinese companies are highly capable, and technology here evolves at an extraordinary pace.We warmly invite Chinese tech firms, particularly in IoT, fintech, medtech, and software, to explore opportunities in Kazakhstan,” she said.
The expo continues through Sunday, featuring more than 200 new products, technologies, research reports, and achievements across embodied AI, intelligent connected vehicles, low-altitude economy, smart manufacturing, and smart living.
