Chinese President Xi Jinping will deliver a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai on Friday, according to Bloomberg. It marks his first appearance at the country's flagship AI event.
The gathering runs for three days. Bloomberg reports that Xi's presence is meant to signal the importance Beijing is placing on artificial intelligence.
Coverage from Chinese outlet 36 Kr, previewing the 2026 edition of the conference, frames WAIC as a showcase event with a lineup of announcements and demonstrations still under wraps ahead of the opening.
Why a head of state shows up matters. Xi has rarely put himself at the center of a technology-specific conference, so choosing WAIC as the venue is itself a statement. It elevates the event from an industry trade show to a stage for national policy, and it tells both domestic companies and foreign observers that AI sits near the top of China's economic and strategic agenda.
The timing lands amid an intense global race to lead in artificial intelligence, where governments increasingly treat the technology as a matter of competitiveness and security rather than just commerce. A keynote from China's top leader at its premier AI forum is a clear signal of where the country intends to direct attention and resources — and it will be closely watched by rivals and partners alike.