The race for artificial intelligence supremacy is on, and China is working to rid itself of US influence in its AI offerings. In The Wall Street Journal, Raffaele Huang and Liza Lin report:

China is ramping up efforts to build a domestic artificial-intelligence ecosystem that can function without Western technology, as it steels itself for a protracted tech contest with the U.S.

Washington has been trying to slow China’s AI progress through export controls and other restrictions that limit Chinese access to U.S. capital, talent and advanced U.S. technologies. To an extent, those restrictions have worked. But China is fighting back with expanding efforts to become more self-sufficient in AI—a push that could ultimately make it less vulnerable to U.S. pressure if it succeeds.

Many of the initiatives were on display at an AI conference that ended this week in Shanghai, which Chinese authorities used as a showcase for products free of U.S. technologies.

The event, known as the World Artificial Intelligence Conference, was described by organizers as:

World Artificial Intelligence Conference, or WAIC for short, is one of the most influential AI events within the global tech, science, and industry ecosystem.

Since 2018, the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) has been successfully held in Shanghai for seven consecutive years, bringing together the world’s most influential scientists, entrepreneurs, government officials, representatives of international organizations, investors, and startup teams in the field of artificial intelligence. It has become a vital platform and showcase for global AI academic exchanges, industry collaboration, exhibition displays, and partnership negotiations.

In 2025, the World Artificial Intelligence Conference will continue to elevate its scale and level of engagement. The event is committed to building a more sophisticated and open international communication platform that focuses on cutting-edge topics, conveys authoritative perspectives, pools global expertise, fosters innovative ideas, and promotes global AI development through joint deliberation, co-construction, collaborative governance, and shared benefits.

WAIC’s goal is to engage global audiences interested in AI advancement and advocate for more multilateral cooperation with stakeholders in the global AI ecosystem.

WAIC distinguishes itself from the competition by enabling live streaming for its sponsors and partners to drive traffic to their limelight and business. At WAIC, associations, universities, and tech companies from China and overseas collaborate.

Through several forums in 4 areas—breakthrough technologies, new industries, humanities, and future trends—it brings together stakeholders in the global AI industry. WAIC prioritizes providing all attendees with the best networking opportunities with influential figures in their respective industries as a conference on scientific frontiers and industrial developments.