World Artificial Intelligence Conference to open in Shanghai

This year's World Artificial Intelligence Conference, to open in Shanghai on Friday, will see about 60 humanoid robots assisting on-site services, evolving from mere exhibits into volunteers.

Humanoid robots will serve as official volunteers at the upcoming 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference.

The event, themed "AI Partnership for a Brighter Future", will see around 60 robots stationed across the conference venue.

They are set to support public services, including handling on-site visitor inquiries and providing guided tours.

The robot's ability is driven by the advancement in contextual large models over the past year, allowing these humanoids to go from merely being exhibits to now being put to work.

They are also programmed to self-charge. Developers say they can be fully set up in just two minutes, with a 10-hour battery life that supports a full day of service.

The conference will open in Shanghai on Friday, and this marks the first large-scale deployment of such robots at a major exhibition.