Shanghai hosts online summit on artificial intelligence

The World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2020 online summit kicked off on Thursday in China's economic hub Shanghai.

With the theme of "Intelligent Connectivity, Indivisible Community," the event brings together scientists, entrepreneurs, and officials to discuss the latest trends in the world's AI sector.

"Cloud conferences" will be introduced at this year's WAIC, with holographic projections being applied for the first time at a conference of such a large scale, its organizers said.

About 3,000 participants are expected to attend the WAIC via the internet, while about 200 guests will be present personally. The whole event will be broadcast live through the internet.

A music video of an AI chorus, billed as the world's first, was also released during the conference.

China hosted the first WAIC in Shanghai in 2018, and has since developed it into an influential platform for AI cooperation and exchange, as well as a catalyst to the city's AI industry.

The COVID-19 epidemic is believed to have boosted the application of AI technologies, with smarter machines replacing humans on more occasions to reduce infection risks. Industry observers say the technology is also crucial to the survival of various industries as the world continues to fight the virus.