China's world AI conference opens with humanoid robots

(17 Jul 2026) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS Shanghai, China - 17 July 2026 1. Various of robots playing martial arts, with crowd watching at the World AI Conference (WAIC) 2. Various of robot inserting screws into holes and tightening them with an electric screw 3. Various of robot moving boxes in an simulated warehouse 4. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Zhang Dapeng, Assistant President of Leju Robot: “The labor force working in factories is an increasingly scarce resource. Moreover, the rate of increase in labor costs is rapid and irreversible. It is now a peaceful world, especially in developed countries; the increase in labor costs is irreversible. Therefore, for bosses and managers, how to continuously produce on the basis of no longer rising costs is an important topic, and robots can enable them to do so.” 5. Various of high shots of the exhibition 6. Various of robot doing push-ups on the ground 7. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Li Yang, Brand Director of Deep Robotics: “The operational ability of robots still needs significant improvement. The embodied ability of the (robotic) brain needs further development, the entire motion scene and data need to be iterated and reviewed, and the physical behavior ability of robots also needs to be improved. Only in this way can humanoid robots possibly enter thousands of households in the future.” 8. Various of visitors at conference 9. Various of visitors in front of a cloud server 10. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Peng Zhihui, Chief Technology Officer of AGIBOT: “Due to the rapid iteration of AI technology, many so-called OPC, or one person companies, have emerged, so AI will greatly empower every individual and enable them to run faster in cross-border innovation fields. There are many things that humans can do now, and more available tools can accelerate their growth.” 11. Various of robot dancing, crowd filming in background STORYLINE: Humanoid robots have emerged as the biggest attraction on the opening day of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) on Friday. The event highlights China's rapid push to turn advances in artificial intelligence into machines capable of working alongside people in factories, homes, and public spaces. More than 300 new AI products are making their global debut at this year's conference, according to the organizer, including robots that can walk, converse, manipulate objects with increasing dexterity, and collaborate with humans on practical tasks. “The labor force working in factories is an increasingly scarce resource. Moreover, the rate of increase in labor costs is rapid and irreversible," said Zhang Dapeng, Assistant President of Leju Robot. "For bosses and managers, how to continuously produce on the basis of no longer rising costs is an important topic, and robots can enable them to do so,” Zhang said. Humanoid robots displayed at this year’s WAIC reflect a shift in the industry's priorities—from showcasing isolated technical feats to demonstrating practical, deployable intelligence, and companies are competing over who can deliver robots that create economic value. “The operational ability of robots still needs significant improvement, the embodied ability of the (robotic) brain needs further development, the entire motion scene and data need to be iterated and reviewed, and the physical behavior ability of robots also needs to be improved,” said Li Yang, the brand director of Deep Robotics. “Only in this way can humanoid robots possibly enter thousands of households in the future.” AP video shot by Wayne Zhang Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...