TL;DR:
- World Artificial Intelligence Conference 2023 (WAIC 2023) concludes in Shanghai with remarkable achievements.
- 32 milestone AI projects signed, representing a combined investment of 28.8 billion yuan (US$4 billion).
- 210 firms participated in WAIC, reaching the intended purchase amount of 11 billion yuan.
- Shanghai unveils policies to support AI large language models (LLMs) and improve business environments.
- Over 1,400 speakers and distinguished guests attend 133 forums, including top industry leaders.
- 177,000 people visit WAIC offline venues, while online engagement experiences a significant surge.
- Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center hosts the event, featuring 400 exhibitors.
- Over 30 LLMs and 20 robots were showcased, highlighting their growing significance.
- Global IT leaders, including AMD’s CEO Lisa Su, deliver speeches during the closing ceremony.
Main AI News:
In a remarkable triumph, the World Artificial Intelligence Conference 2023 (WAIC 2023) concluded its three-day event in Shanghai, garnering significant investments, flourishing procurement values, and breaking records in terms of visitor and online traffic. The city officials of Shanghai, pleased with the outcomes, shared the news on Saturday, highlighting the signing of 32 groundbreaking AI projects, representing a collective investment of 28.8 billion yuan (US$4 billion). These projects spanned various sectors, encompassing AI computing power, algorithms, and device development.
The event saw a staggering total of 210 companies actively participating in WAIC, successfully reaching their targeted procurement goal of 11 billion yuan. Wu Jincheng, the director of the Shanghai Commission of Economy and Informatization, confirmed these impressive figures. He stated, “WAIC showcases Shanghai’s unwavering commitment to actively seize the opportunities presented by general artificial intelligence, foster the development of world-class industrial clusters, and establish a pinnacle of AI advancement known as the ‘Shanghai Highland.'” Wu expressed these sentiments during the closing ceremony, reiterating the city’s ambition to lead the charge in AI innovation.
Furthermore, Shanghai disclosed a series of policies designed to bolster the support provided to AI large language models (LLMs). These policies aim to enhance the business environment for LLMs, focusing on areas such as nurturing talent, augmenting computing power, and cultivating a robust ecosystem. The Shanghai Commission emphasized its dedication to facilitating the growth and success of LLMs, underscoring their pivotal role in various applications.
The magnitude and caliber of the conference were further exemplified by the attendance of over 1,400 speakers and distinguished guests who took part in 133 forums at WAIC. Among them were five Turing Award laureates, a Nobel Laureate, and 50 senior executives from prominent companies such as Tesla, Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, Huawei, and Alibaba. Their presence not only added prestige to the event but also contributed valuable insights and perspectives on the future of artificial intelligence.
Throughout the event, a staggering 177,000 individuals visited the offline venues of WAIC, including forums and exhibitions. Additionally, the WAIC topic generated a remarkable 1.07 billion views, marking a notable 68 percent increase from the previous year. Despite the rainy Saturday morning, eager crowds gathered at the entrance of the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center, the primary venue for WAIC, demonstrating the enthusiasm and anticipation surrounding the conference.
The sprawling exhibition space covered 50,000 square meters and accommodated more than 400 exhibitors, setting new records since WAIC’s inception in Shanghai back in 2018. Notably, the event showcased over 30 cutting-edge LLMs and over 20 state-of-the-art robots, capturing the attention of attendees. LLMs have gained significant popularity due to their widespread usage in popular applications like ChatGPT.
The grand finale of WAIC featured online speeches from prominent global leaders in the field of information technology, including Lisa Su, Chairwoman, and CEO of AMD. These influential figures shared their valuable insights and perspectives during the closing ceremony, leaving a lasting impression on the attendees.
Conclusion:
The success of WAIC 2023 and the significant investments and project signings underscore the growing prominence and potential of the artificial intelligence market. Shanghai’s commitment to seizing AI opportunities, fostering industrial clusters, and supporting LLMs demonstrate the city’s dedication to establishing itself as a leader in AI development. The presence of top industry leaders and the overwhelming engagement from attendees and online viewers further validate the importance and impact of AI in various sectors. The outcomes of WAIC 2023 bode well for the market’s future, driving innovation, collaboration, and the continued advancement of AI technologies.
