AI takes center stage at World Intelligence Expo 2024

"Please make a coffee for me," a visitor asked a white robot at the World Intelligence Expo 2024, which is currently underway in north China's Tianjin Municipality. 

The robot barista promptly responded, its jointed arms dexterously completing each step: taking out the beans, grinding, steeping, and brewing the coffee. In no time, a fragrant cup of coffee was presented to the delighted attendee. The robot underwent 3,000 hours of artificial intelligence (AI) learning and 30,000 hours of robotic arm training to replicate the techniques of an experienced barista.

From humanoid robots to autonomous vehicles, the four-day expo, which concludes on June 23, highlights the diverse applications of AI and depicts a future brimming with technological promise. While the coffee robot diligently brews away, the futuristic Cybertruck at the Tesla booth in another exhibition zone garnered significant attention.

Integrated with multiple advanced AI technologies, the in-car system boasts autonomous driving capabilities thanks to deep learning algorithms and neural networks. With advanced sensors and cameras, the vehicle can analyze the surrounding environment in real time and make intelligent decisions.

In 2024, Tesla plans to invest $10 billion in AI and autonomous driving, sources at the U.S. company told Xinhua. "They are not just cars but mobile intelligent terminals, like robots with wheels, meeting diverse scenario-based needs, including travel, safety, entertainment, camping, socializing and even pet care," said a member of staff at the booth.

A crowd gathered at a demonstration for XPENG, a leading Chinese electric vehicle maker. Inside one of the cars equipped with AI interaction functions, users can ask for recommendations for scenic spots, nearby parking lots, or even travel tips.

"It's wonderful and will greatly facilitate our daily travel. I definitely plan to purchase a smart car in the future," said a Tianjin-based visitor surnamed Song.

XPENG has also enhanced driving safety with AI technology, introducing an AI Bodyguard function. With smart sensors, such as LiDAR and cameras, an XPENG vehicle can accurately perceive the external environment and even predict the trajectory of small animals and surrounding vehicles to avoid collisions, said Li Xiaodong, a sales representative with the company.

As of May 2024, XPENG has delivered more than 440,000 smart electric vehicles. The mood at the expo has been optimistic, with people's sights set firmly on the future of AI.

"AI is accelerating its deep integration with various industries, giving birth to new fields and tracks that will lead future development, achieving a revolutionary upgrade in productivity and production efficiency," said Long Teng, vice minister of science and technology.

Liang Feng, an associate professor at the Business School of Nankai University, echoed his view. "The high-quality development of industries and enterprises driven by AI provides more products and services with diversified functions, rich content, and novel experiences, further upgrading the consumption structure and fully unleashing consumption potential," said Liang.

China now hosts more than 4,500 AI companies, reflecting the country's efforts to embrace the AI boom. The country's core AI industry reached a scale of more than 578 billion yuan (about $81 billion) in 2023, up 13.9 percent year on year, official data shows.

(Cover image: Mascots on display outside the World Intelligence Expo 2024 venue in north China's Tianjin Municipality, June 20, 2024. /CFP)