Chinese President Xi Jinping will deliver the keynote address at the World AI Conference in Shanghai on July 17, 2026 [1].

This appearance marks the first time the president has attended the flagship event. The move signals a strategic escalation in Beijing's efforts to dominate the artificial intelligence sector as the technology rivalry between China and the U.S. continues to heat up.

Xi's presence at the summit underscores the central role that AI now plays in China's national security and economic strategy. By personally leading the discourse at the conference, the administration is emphasizing a top-down commitment to AI development, a shift that aligns with broader goals to achieve technological self-reliance.

The World AI Conference has grown into a primary venue for showcasing China's capabilities in machine learning and robotics. The event serves as both a domestic rallying point for tech firms and a global signal of China's ambitions to set international standards for AI governance.

Analysts said that the timing of the keynote is intended to project strength and stability. As the U.S. continues to implement restrictions on high-end semiconductors and AI hardware, Beijing is pivoting toward domestic innovation and the integration of AI into industrial manufacturing.

The Shanghai summit is expected to draw significant international attention, highlighting the friction between the two superpowers over the future of computing. The keynote will likely outline the government's roadmap for the next phase of digital transformation, and the role of AI in maintaining social and economic order.

“Xi's presence at the summit underscores the central role that AI now plays in China's national security and economic strategy.”

Xi Jinping's first-ever appearance at the World AI Conference elevates the event from a technical trade show to a high-level political statement. It indicates that the Chinese government now views AI not merely as a commercial opportunity, but as a primary pillar of national power and geopolitical competition against the U.S.