2026 World AI Conference opens in Shanghai

The opening ceremony of the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance is held in Shanghai, east China, July 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addresses the opening ceremony of the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai, east China, July 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet addresses the opening ceremony of the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai, east China, July 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul addresses the opening ceremony of the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai, east China, July 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses the opening ceremony of the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai, east China, July 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

Dilma Rousseff, president of the New Development Bank, talks with guests attending the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai, east China, July 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Guests talk with each other before the opening ceremony of the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai, east China, July 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Guests talk with each other before the opening ceremony of the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai, east China, July 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Guests talk with each other before the opening ceremony of the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai, east China, July 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Guests talk with each other before the opening ceremony of the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai, east China, July 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Guests talk with each other before the opening ceremony of the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai, east China, July 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Guests talk with each other before the opening ceremony of the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai, east China, July 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Guests talk with each other before the opening ceremony of the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai, east China, July 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)