The World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC 2026) wrapped up Monday in Shanghai, delivering sizable measurable impact and an unprecedented scale for the event. The conference drew 177 international purchasing delegations with stated purchase intentions totaling ¥20.36 billion (about US$3.01 billion), an annual increase of roughly 25%. For the first time the exhibition footprint topped 100,000 square meters, and more than 1,100 companies showcased 4,486 products and technologies — 351 of which made their world debut.
WAIC 2026: key figures and economic impact
The 2026 edition of WAIC convened roughly 1,400 domestic and international attendees over four days, from Friday to Monday. The 177 purchasing delegations reported combined purchase intentions of ¥20.36 billion, a headline metric underscoring growing commercial interest in AI solutions. Organizers highlighted an approximate 25% year‑over‑year increase, signaling strengthened market momentum — though they stressed these figures represent intentions, not finalized contracts.
A wealth of innovations and an expanded exhibition space
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