Xi Jinping to Deliver Opening Keynote at World AI Conference on July 17, His First Appearance Since 2018

My take: President Xi Jinping attending the World AI Conference in person for the first time since it launched in 2018 is not a scheduling detail — it's a first-order political signal. China is putting its highest leadership capital behind its AI strategy, and that has direct implications for anyone working in this space.

The event, held July 17 to 20 in Shanghai, is the largest in its history: more than 1,100 exhibitors, over 300 global product debuts, 140 forums, and nine Nobel and Turing award laureates. Xi is expected to announce the details of a World AI Cooperation Organization (WAICO), headquartered in Shanghai, as part of China's push to lead global AI governance.

The practical question for anyone building or using AI tools on the Western side of the market is this: are you tracking only what ships from San Francisco and London, or also what the other half of the world is building?