Shanghai showcases key AI technologies ahead of WAIC 2026 – from next‑gen chips to algorithm‑designed proteins
As the world prepares for another leap in artificial intelligence, Shanghai once again becomes a hub for scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs. The upcoming WAIC 2026 promises to be more than a technology exhibition — it aims to be a platform where new standards and directions are born. Days before the official opening, journalists were given a preview of technologies that could reshape our understanding of computing power and even biology itself.
Shanghai, the host city for the upcoming World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2026 and the High‑Level Meeting on Global AI Governance, offered journalists a special preview on Wednesday of some of the key technologies that will define this year's agenda. Organisers conducted a media tour aimed at highlighting the latest industry developments and setting the stage for important discussions on the future of AI.
WAIC, which runs from 17 to 20 July and marks its eighth year, has solidified its role as a leading global AI platform. This year's event will feature over 140 forums and a large‑scale exhibition showcasing more than 3,000 cutting‑edge products. The goal is to create a comprehensive ecosystem that brings together global thought leaders with advanced technologies to build industry consensus and offer solutions for global governance. On Wednesday, journalists also visited leading companies such as Shanghai Eastern Computing Technology and Shanghai Matwings Technology.
Any progress in AI begins with raw computing power. Shanghai Eastern Computing Technology is rethinking infrastructure design from the ground up, building a sustainable foundation for the digital economy. "Our approach is based on two revolutionary innovations: software‑defined chips and near‑memory 3D computing technology. By combining them, we create intelligent computing chips that deliver both massive computing power and tremendous bandwidth," said Xu Jiming, the company's marketing director.
Large‑scale AI models are now becoming part of biological engineering themselves. Shanghai Matwings Technology has developed a generative AI platform for designing entirely new proteins — the building blocks of life. "The AI model learns many different properties of proteins. So it can quickly create protein products according to the goals you set. It can be used in many fields, including pharmaceuticals, drugs, in vitro diagnostics, food and agriculture, and so on. More importantly, because our AI model learns from many proteins that have survived extreme conditions — for example, in bacteria — we can create proteins with extreme properties, such as resistance to extreme temperatures, acidity or alkalinity, and stability. This allows us to bring to market protein products that were previously unknown," said Hong Liang, founder and chief scientist of Matwings.
WAIC has been held in Shanghai since 2018 and has become one of the most respected global platforms for discussing AI development and regulation. This year, the conference includes a dedicated session on global AI governance for the first time, reflecting the growing need for international cooperation in this field. As CCTV+ reports. The technologies showcased — from chips that change computing architecture to algorithms that create new proteins — demonstrate that China is not only adopting AI but also shaping its fundamental directions.
