Humanoid robots embodiment of China’s AI ambitions

Serving craft beer, taking part in mahjong, stacking cabinets and boxing, the handfuls of humanoid robots at Shanghai’s World AI Convention (WAIC) this weekend have been embodiments of China’s rising AI prowess and ambition.

The annual occasion is primed at showcasing China’s progress within the ever-evolving subject of synthetic intelligence, with the federal government aiming to place the nation as a world chief on each know-how and regulation because it snaps at the USA’ heels.

Opening the occasion on Saturday, Premier Li Qiang introduced China would arrange a brand new group for cooperation on AI governance, warning the advantages of improvement should be balanced with the dangers.

However within the cavernous expo subsequent door, the temper was extra giddy than involved.

“Demand is presently very sturdy, whether or not when it comes to information, eventualities, mannequin coaching, or synthetic development. The general environment in all these areas may be very energetic,” stated Yang Yifan, R&D director at Transwarp, a Shanghai-based AI platform supplier.

This yr’s WAIC is the primary since a breakthrough second for Chinese language AI this January when startup DeepSeek unveiled an AI mannequin that carried out in addition to prime US programs for an obvious fraction of the fee.

Organizers stated the discussion board concerned greater than 800 firms, showcasing over 3,000 merchandise—the plain crowd pleasers being the humanoid robots and their raft of barely surreal social gathering tips.

At one sales space, a robotic performed drums, half a beat out of time, to Queen’s “We Will Rock You” whereas a person in security goggles and a safety vest overvalued a laughing crowd.

Different droids, some wearing working overalls or baseball caps, manned meeting traces, performed curling with human opponents or sloppily served tender drinks from a dispenser.

Whereas a lot of the machines on show have been nonetheless somewhat jerky, the rising sophistication year-on-year was clear to see.

The Chinese language authorities has poured help into robotics, an space by which some consultants suppose China may have already got the higher hand over the USA.

At Hangzhou-based Unitree’s stall, its G1 android—round 130 centimeters (4 ft) tall, with a two-hour battery life—kicked, pivoted and punched, retaining its stability with relative fluidity because it shadowboxed round a hoop.

Forward of the convention’s opening, Unitree introduced it might launch a full-size humanoid, the R1, for underneath $6,000.

‘Digital people’

Most high-tech helpers do not want {hardware} although.

On the expo, AI companions—within the type of middle-aged businessmen, scantily clad ladies and historic warriors—waved at folks from screens, asking how their day was, whereas different stalls ran demos permitting guests to create their very own digital avatars.

Tech big Baidu on Saturday introduced a brand new technology of know-how for its “digital people”—AI brokers modeled on actual folks, which it says are “able to considering, making selections, and collaborating”.

The corporate not too long ago ran a six-hour e-commerce broadcast hosted by the “digital human” of a widely known streamer and one other avatar.

The 2 brokers beat the human streamer’s debut gross sales in some classes, Baidu stated.

Over ten thousand companies are utilizing the know-how every day already, the division’s head Wu Chenxia instructed AFP.

Requested in regards to the affect on jobs—one of many main considerations raised round widespread AI adoption—Wu insisted that AI was a software that ought to be used to enhance high quality and save effort and time, which nonetheless required human enter.

In China, the mixing of AI into on a regular basis life is starting to select up tempo.

At WAIC, Baidu additionally introduced it had been granted a allow to function absolutely driverless robotaxis in elements of the large Pudong district, the service’s first foray into downtown Shanghai.

For now, few guests to the WAIC expo appeared fearful in regards to the potential ramifications of the back-flipping canine robots they have been excitedly watching.

“On the subject of China’s AI improvement, we’ve got a relatively good basis of information and in addition a wealth of software eventualities,” stated Transwarp’s Yang.

“There are various extra alternatives for experimentation.”

© 2025 AFP