The Global Mobile Internet Conference (GMIC) goes on tour annually around the world putting all the newest gadgets and gizmos on display. This year, the GMIC 2017 tour will span over eight tech hubs, including Beijing, Tel-Aviv, Tokyo, Silicon Valley, Sao Paulo, Jakarta, Hong Kong, and Bangalore. Today was the first day of the conference in Beijing.

The GMIC Beijing opening ceremony was kicked off with bang, a big-screen appearance by Stephen Hawking. The renowned physicist shared his opinions on artificial intelligence and the future of technology. 

Professor Hawking said that although AI is the future, "our AI systems must do what we want them to do...Everything that civilization has to offer is a product of human intelligence, and I believe there is no difference between what can be achieved by a biological brain and what can be achieved by a computer."

He acknowledges the threats of AI as it can easily takeover millions of jobs in the future if it hasn't already done so. 

Hawking says while primitive versions of AI that have been developed so far has been useful, he fears that AI can match up or surpass humans in the future. His fear that AI can take off and redesign its own algorithms might sound like a scene from a Hollywood science fiction right now…but soon could all become reality. 

Shenzhen based company UBTECH develops robots for commercial and home use. While larger robots may be used as service providers at restaurants or escorts at events, smaller sized robots can be used for education and entertainment. You can even teach the robots customized moves.

It is expected that there will be 40,000 attendees and 500 exhibitors at the conference this year in Beijing. The GMIC is definitely a global platform that connects innovators, tech enthusiasts, scholars, and industry professionals worldwide, and an opportunity for them to catch a glimpse of some of the world’s leading innovative technology.

GMIC isn’t just for Chinese companies though, SoWhen? headquartered in Paris flew 11 hours to attend this exhibit. 

Mohamed Marouene, founder of the company said he is eager and excited to enter the Chinese market. “We hear that the AI and VR market in China is advancing very fast, it's a very big market.”

Identified as an innovative communications company, SoWhen? uses VR technology to convey their messages. While people traditionally think VR can't be accessed unless using a headset, Mohamed says consumers can access the VR technology not only through headsets but can also interact with its products through tablets and even their phones...

Founder and CEO of APUS Group, Li Tao is a household name in the Chinese internet sector. He founded APUS IN June, 2014, but in just under three years it has become one of world’s largest Android launch systems. Li reiterated the importance of VR and AI and he himself even invested in such technology.

"GMIC is a great opportunity for Chinese industry professionals to show the world their products. I hope to see Chinese capital and Chinese technology go global but also integrating the local culture in to the products. And I also hope that GMIC can become an open and international platform, not only for Chinese companies to showcase to the world but also a way to introduce new technology back into China, in hopes to bridge the gap between Chinese technology and the rest of the world."