Latest news with #WorldAIConference
CNBC
7 hours ago
- Business
- CNBC
Where is Nvidia? Chinese rivals take the limelight at major AI event in Shanghai
BEIJING — Less than two weeks after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's high-profile visit to Beijing, the U.S. chipmaker was conspicuous by its absence at China's biggest AI event of the year. Despite renewed hopes this month of selling its less advanced H20 chips to China again, Nvidia didn't have a booth at the World AI Conference that opened Saturday in Shanghai. The company declined CNBC's request for comment. In contrast, Nvidia's China rival, Huawei, had a large display — focused on its Ascend AI chips — near the venue entrance. Huang has called Huawei "one of the most formidable technology companies in the world," while warning that it could replace Nvidia in China if U.S. sticks with its export curbs on Beijing. The telecoms giant showed off for the first time the hardware for its computing system that links 384 Ascend chips together to power AI model training and use. Huawei is marketing the product as "Atlas 900 A3 SuperPoD." Earlier this year, research firm SemiAnalysis pointed out that even though one Ascend chip may be less powerful than Nvidia's most advanced Blackwell chip, an early look at a Huawei system similar to the one unveiled in Shanghai more than offsets the disparity by piling in five times more chips than Nvidia does in its GB200 computing system. But there's an efficiency cost as Huawei's systems require far more power than Nvidia's to operate, the report said. Huawei is far from being the only Chinese player in the complex supply chain for advanced chips. For example, semiconductor designer Moore Threads and startup Yunsilicon both had booths at the AI expo center in Shanghai. Many of the exhibitors from startups to giants such as Tencent and Alibaba showed off AI applications in robotics, smart glasses and translation apps. Overall, there was less talk at the expo about needing Nvidia to power their products. Internet tech company NetEase's Youdao business displayed a handheld bar device that uses AI to help students study material including that for college entrance exams. The device currently uses both AI based in the cloud and "edge" AI that runs on the device, said Gao Huituan, product manager of educational learning hardware at Youdao. Looking ahead, he said that new AI chips are becoming more power efficient and are able to support different types of products. While Nvidia's chips focus more on cloud computing power, "many domestically made, very excellent chip manufacturers are working on some edge devices," he said in Mandarin, translated by CNBC. "Now everyone has relatively good computing power." Nvidia has become the world's most valuable company, riding on the demand for its chips that have been heled drive the latest generative AI breakthroughs. The company had to stop sales to China in April due to new U.S. restrictions, following tougher export controls over the last three years aimed at reducing China's AI capabilities and which have prevented Nvidia from selling its most advanced chips to the country. The company tailored the H20 for China, which Huang has said is a $50 billion market. Tesla, Google, Amazon Web Services and Siemens were among the U.S. and European companies with booths at the AI conference in Shanghai. Nvidia had a booth in Beijing earlier this month at an annual supply chain conference, which coincided with Huang's third visit to China this year and news that the U.S. will allow the chipmaker to resume sales of the H20 chips to China. But the company has not shared when shipments would begin or how many orders it had received from Chinese customers. "Nvidia is the model in (AI) GPU development for the short to medium term not just because of H20, but also because of flagship products like the GB300," Phelix Lee, senior equity analyst at Morningstar, said in an emailed statement. "The return of H20 could help Nvidia to remain as the de facto standard in AI datacenter systems, especially when domestic alternatives are lurking." Beijing has been striving to boost tech self-sufficiency as it has faced U.S. restrictions accessing high-end tech. The country over the weekend also took another step toward promoting its AI standards globally. Chinese Premier Li Qiang announced plans for a global AI cooperation organization during a speech at Saturday's opening ceremony. The initial headquarters will likely be in Shanghai, state media said. The plans come just days after U.S. President Donald Trump announced an American action plan for AI that included calls to reduce alleged "woke" bias in AI models and support the deployment of U.S. tech overseas.
CNA
13 hours ago
- Business
- CNA
China proposes global AI body, urges chip supply and talent flow boost
Chinese Premier Li Qiang has proposed establishing a world artificial intelligence cooperation organisation to coordinate governance of the fast-developing technology. Speaking at the opening of the World AI Conference on Saturday (Jul 26), he also called for removing barriers to clip supply and talent exchange. CNA's Tan Yew Guan has more from Shanghai.
The Sun
14 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
China showcases humanoid robots at Shanghai AI conference
SHANGHAI: Serving craft beer, playing mahjong, and even boxing—humanoid robots took center stage at the World AI Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai this weekend, showcasing China's rapid advancements in artificial intelligence. The event, attended by over 800 companies, featured more than 3,000 products, with humanoid robots stealing the spotlight through their quirky yet impressive demonstrations. Premier Li Qiang opened the conference by announcing China's plans to establish a new AI governance body, emphasizing the need to balance innovation with risk management. However, the expo itself buzzed with excitement rather than concern. 'Demand is currently very strong, whether in terms of data, scenarios, model training, or artificial construction. The overall atmosphere in all these areas is very lively,' said Yang Yifan, R&D director at Shanghai-based AI firm Transwarp. This year's WAIC follows a major milestone for Chinese AI—startup DeepSeek's January unveiling of an AI model rivalling top US systems at a fraction of the cost. Among the exhibits, robots drummed to Queen's 'We Will Rock You,' played curling, and served drinks, though some movements remained slightly unrefined. Still, the progress from previous years was evident. China has heavily invested in robotics, with some experts suggesting it may already hold an edge over the US. Unitree, a Hangzhou-based firm, showcased its G1 android, which performed fluid boxing moves, and announced the upcoming launch of a full-sized humanoid robot priced under $6,000. Beyond hardware, AI companions—ranging from digital businessmen to warriors—interacted with visitors via screens. Baidu introduced its latest 'digital humans,' AI agents capable of decision-making and collaboration. The company reported that these avatars outperformed human streamers in e-commerce sales during a recent live broadcast. Baidu also revealed it secured approval for fully driverless robotaxis in Shanghai's Pudong district, marking another step in AI integration. Despite concerns about job displacement, Baidu's Wu Chenxia stressed AI's role in enhancing efficiency rather than replacing humans. Visitors remained captivated by the technology on display. 'When it comes to China's AI development, we have a comparatively good foundation of data and also a wealth of application scenarios,' said Yang. 'There are many more opportunities for experimentation.' - AFP
Qatar Tribune
18 hours ago
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
China calls for global consensus on balancing AI development
Agencies China's Premier Li Qiang cautioned on Saturday that artificial intelligence development must be weighed against the security risks, saying global consensus was urgently needed even as the tech race between Beijing and Washington shows no sign of abating. His remarks came just days after U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled an aggressive low-regulation strategy aimed at cementing U.S. dominance in the fast-moving field, promising to 'remove red tape and onerous regulation' that could hinder private sector AI development. Opening the World AI Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai on Saturday, Li emphasized the need for governance and open-source development, announcing the establishment of a Chinese-led body for international AI cooperation. 'The risks and challenges brought by artificial intelligence have drawn widespread attention ... How to find a balance between development and security urgently requires further consensus from the entire society,' the premier said. He gave no further details about the newly announced organization, though state media later reported 'the preliminary consideration' was that it would be headquartered in Shanghai. The organization would 'promote global governance featuring extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits,' Xinhua News Agency reported, without elaborating on its set-up or mechanisms. At a time when AI is being integrated across virtually all industries, its uses have raised major questions, including about the spread of misinformation, its impact on employment and the potential loss of technological control. In a speech at WAIC on Saturday, Nobel Prize-winning physicist Geoffrey Hinton compared the situation to keeping 'a very cute tiger cub as a pet.' To survive, he said, you need to ensure you can train it not to kill you when it grows up. The enormous strides AI technology has made in recent years have seen it move to the forefront of the U.S.-China rivalry. Premier Li said China would 'actively promote' the development of open-source AI, adding Beijing was willing to share advances with other countries, particularly developing ones. 'If we engage in technological monopolies, controls and blockage, artificial intelligence will become the preserve of a few countries and a few enterprises,' he said. Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu warned against 'unilateralism and protectionism' at a later meeting. Washington has expanded its efforts in recent years to curb exports of state-of-the-art chips to China, concerned that they can be used to advance Beijing's military systems and erode U.S. tech dominance. Li, in his speech, highlighted 'insufficient supply of computing power and chips' as a bottleneck to AI progress. China has made AI a pillar of its plans for technological self-reliance, with the government pledging a raft of measures to boost the sector. In January, Chinese startup DeepSeek unveiled an AI model that performed as well as top US systems despite using less powerful chips. In a video message played at the WAIC opening ceremony, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said AI governance would be 'a defining test of international cooperation.' The ceremony saw the French president's AI envoy, Anne Bouverot, underscore 'an urgent need' for global action and for the U.N. to play a 'leading role.' Bouverot called for a framework 'that is open, transparent and effective, giving each and everyone an opportunity to have their views taken into account.' Li's speech 'posed a clear contrast to the Trump administration's 'America First' view on AI' and the U.S. measures announced this week, said WAIC attendee George Chen, a partner at Washington-based policy consultancy The Asia Group. 'The world is now clearly divided into at least three camps: the United States and its allies, China (and perhaps many Belt and Road or Global South countries), and the EU, which prefers regulating AI through legislation, like the EU AI Act,' Chen told Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
China proposes global cooperation body on AI
SHANGHAI, July 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from The Chinese government has proposed the establishment of a world AI cooperation organization as part of its efforts to bolster open, inclusive and equitable artificial intelligence development and governance globally. Premier Li Qiang announced the initiative when addressing the opening ceremony of the 2025 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai. Li emphasized the need for collaborative approaches to global AI governance to ensure that intelligent technologies are developed for the good of all. More than 1,000 high-level representatives from upwards of 40 countries and international organizations attended the opening ceremony of the three-day event, themed "Global Solidarity in the AI Era". Li said that the risks and challenges brought by AI development, such as machine hallucinations, deep fakes and AI proliferation, have aroused widespread attention. There is an urgent need to further consolidate a societal consensus on how to achieve a balance between development and security in the AI sector, he said. Li said greater emphasis should be placed on collective governance to ensure that AI ultimately benefits humanity. Given that global AI governance appears fragmented, it is essential to enhance coordination and alignment among countries around the world to establish a framework and rules for global AI governance with a broad consensus, he added. Noting that China places great importance on global AI governance and actively participates in promoting multilateral and bilateral cooperation in this regard, the premier said the nation is willing to offer more Chinese solutions to the international community and contribute more Chinese wisdom to global AI governance. In 2023, China proposed the Global AI Governance Initiative to promote an open, inclusive and fair approach to the development and governance of AI technologies. Last year, China proposed the AI Capacity-Building Action Plan for Good and for All to bridge the AI and digital divides, and to ensure the Global South benefits equitably from AI development. China actively promotes open source development, and is willing to collaborate with countries around the world to promote progress in software and hardware technologies, intensify open source initiatives, and collectively propel AI development to higher levels, Li said. Also on July 26, the conference adopted the Global AI Governance Action Plan, which calls on all parties to work in solidarity to advance AI development and governance. For more information: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Sign in to access your portfolio
