WUZHEN, CN / ACCESS Newswire / November 6, 2026 / The 2026 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit opened on November 2 in Wuzhen, a historic water town with a history of more than 1,300 years, marking the 13th time the town has hosted the event.
Under the theme “Open Source and Openness: Building Together, Sharing Together – Joining Hands to Build a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace,” the four-day summit features an opening ceremony, a main forum and 27 sub-forums. A total of 671 enterprises from 54 countries are showcasing more than 1,000 cutting-edge technologies. For the first time, the summit has also opened registration to the general public.
This year’s summit places a particular focus on the practical applications of artificial intelligence (AI), demonstrating how the technology is moving beyond exhibition halls and becoming increasingly integrated into everyday life and industrial operations.
Jeremy, an American who attended the inaugural summit in 2014, recalled that one of his most memorable experiences at the time was using a mobile app to hail a taxi for the first time. Returning to Wuzhen 12 years later, he found that the town had undergone significant changes, with autonomous vehicles now operating on its streets.
The transformation in Wuzhen reflects broader developments in the AI industry. Over the past 18 months, humanoid robots have made significant progress, moving from laboratory prototypes toward commercial production and practical applications. AgiBot has rolled out more than 20,000 general-purpose AI robots. Unitree Robotics, founded eight years ago, was listed on the STAR Market in August, with its shares surging 460% on the first trading day and its market capitalization surpassing that of its US counterpart, Figure AI. OpenAI also confirmed this month that it is backing the development of humanoid robots, with a demonstration prototype expected by 2027.
Industry data show that China’s humanoid robot shipments are projected to reach 62,500 units in 2026. At the “Light of the Internet” Expo, more than 30 embodied AI robots from companies including AgiBot, UBTECH and Unitree are demonstrating their capabilities in practical settings, covering applications in factories, hotels, hospitals and homes.
Beyond the exhibition venues, AI technologies are also being integrated into various aspects of daily life across Wuzhen and its surrounding areas.
At the 5G smart greenhouse in Zhengfu Village, tomato growers rely on real-time data to monitor growing conditions and manage agricultural production. On local streets, autonomous vehicles navigate their surroundings, slowing down, stopping and maneuvering around children at play. Robot guide dogs assist visually impaired pedestrians in crossing roads.
In industrial settings, including zero-carbon factories and the 110 kV Chenzhuang substation, robotic dogs undertake repetitive, hazardous and physically demanding tasks. At an elderly care center, a robotic dog provides companionship to residents, demonstrating another potential application of intelligent technology in supporting an aging population.
From mobile ride-hailing services in 2014 to autonomous driving, embodied AI and smart industrial applications in 2026, Wuzhen has witnessed the rapid evolution of digital technology over the past 12 years.
As the 2026 WIC Wuzhen Summit brings together global participants to explore the future of the internet and artificial intelligence, the experiences on display offer a glimpse into how AI can support human activities, improve efficiency and expand the possibilities of everyday life. Rather than simply demonstrating what technology can do, Wuzhen is providing a closer look at how it can work alongside people in the real world.
Media Contact:
Organization: Jiaxing International Communication Center
Contact Person: Shae Wu
Email: jiccjiaxing@gmail.com
Website: https://x.com/Jiascinating
SOURCE: Jiaxing International Communication Center
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