From humanoids to Huawei: what to watch as Xi attends China’s WAIC amid US AI rivalry

The World AI Conference (WAIC) serves as a critical barometer for China’s AI ambitions and its strategic response to ongoing US tech restrictions. By emphasizing areas like autonomous agents, humanoid robots, and scientific research, Beijing is signaling a clear intent to build comprehensive AI dominance rather than merely catching up in foundational models. This focus on diverse applications and hardware integration reflects a long-term vision to create a self-sufficient AI ecosystem, mitigating the impact of chip export controls by fostering domestic innovation across the entire value chain. The showcasing of Huawei’s advancements further underscores this drive for national champions and technological independence.

For the broader Asian tech ecosystem, China’s WAIC initiatives have significant implications. Increased investment and development in areas like humanoid robotics and advanced AI applications could spur regional competition and collaboration. While the US-China rivalry creates headwinds, it also accelerates domestic R&D within China, potentially leading to new breakthroughs that could eventually find their way into regional markets or influence global standards. The conference highlights the growing divergence in AI development strategies between China and the West, pushing other Asian nations to carefully consider their own AI roadmaps and partnerships.