The World AI Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai begins this weekend, attracting industry leaders, government officials, and investors.

The event follows US President Donald Trump’s announcement of an “AI Action Plan” aimed at preserving the country’s leadership in AI.

China’s AI sector has gained momentum with the rise of DeepSeek, a startup noted for its efficient and high-performance AI models.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang is expected to attend the conference, where major tech companies such as Tencent and ByteDance, alongside startups like Zhipu AI, will present their innovations.

The summit will also highlight China’s focus on humanoid robotics.

While the conference seeks to establish China as a leader in AI, the absence of major US companies highlights the ongoing technological rivalry between the two nations.