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Invest Shanghai
Shanghai spotlighted its ambition to become a hub for artificial intelligence innovation at the 2026 Global Developers Pioneers Summit, which was held from March 27 to 29 in Shanghai, offering visitors an immersive experience of cutting-edge AI technologies.
The summit presented a broad spectrum of AI applications, spanning AI for science, open-source AI agents, and the integration of AI across industries. The event featured an opening ceremony, competitions, more than 50 workshops, over 100 interactive experiences, and a series of themed carnivals, creating a dynamic platform for engagement and exchange.
It also marked the launch of several initiatives designed to strengthen the city’s AI ecosystem, including an open collaboration initiative for open-source AI agents, an AI science fund, targeted policies, and the establishment of an AI4S community. Industry representatives and experts shared insights and practical experiences, underscoring the collaborative momentum driving the sector.
A highlight in the exhibition zone was the "lobster farm", where companies such as SenseTime, China Telecom, StepFun, Alibaba Cloud, and Sixunited demonstrated solutions centered on autonomous AI agents. Attendees were able to create their first digital lobster and receive a birth certificate in less than 30 minutes.
Beyond the hands-on demonstrations, the summit underscored Shanghai's commitment to cultivating a robust innovation ecosystem. Investment institutions such as Shanghai State-owned Capital Investment, Xuhui Capital, and INESA were present to facilitate connections between innovative ideas and capital.
This gathering took place against the backdrop of Shanghai's expanding AI industry, where 394 major enterprises generated more than 637 billion yuan ($92.21 billion) in 2025, a year-on-year growth of 39.5 percent. As of Feb 28, the city had completed the filing of 149 generative AI services.
Zhong Junhao, secretary-general of the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Industry Association, highlighted the city's cost advantages in fostering a developer-friendly environment. "Shanghai is striving to build a city with the lowest costs for developers, offering computing, data, and model vouchers, along with rent-free office spaces and housing support for qualified personnel."
Zhong added that the agility of AI technologies, coupled with the rise of startups such as MiniMax and StepFun in Shanghai and lower token costs, allows OpenClaw to support next-generation applications at minimal cost.
He also pointed to the emergence of "MTT students and graduates", referring to Master of Technology Transfer students and graduates, who he described as the equivalent of MBA and EMBA graduates in the tech-driven innovation era. These individuals play a critical role in bridging scientific research with funding, commercialization, and enterprise management.
Such initiatives ensure that scientists and technologists are no longer isolated, providing them with the institutional support and resources necessary for sustained growth, Zhong said.
SenseTime showcased its AI voice capabilities, launching two products: AudioClaw, an intelligent input method based on a multimodal large model, and SenseAudio, an AI voice open platform.
Zhan Mingjie, head of the Interactive Large Model and Speech Team at SenseTime, explained that SenseAudio enables developers to "seamlessly integrate text optimization, text-to-speech, speech recognition, music generation, video generation, and various solutions with one click", adding that the platform also offers developers a substantial free quota.
He emphasized the company's commitment to accessibility. "We are allowing developers one-stop access to top open-source models for convenient use," Zhan said.
The Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory introduced SafeClaw, an intelligent agent platform designed for security and industrial-grade applications.
Xu Xingcheng, a researcher at the lab, highlighted its built-in security mechanisms and capacity to monitor and intercept risks.
He noted that the summit provides a valuable opportunity for developers to engage with the latest technology and product trends. "It's a stage for showcasing and mutual understanding," he said.
Pietro D'Agaro, an Italian business student studying in Singapore, attended the summit to observe China's technological progress.
"I came here specifically to see how advanced China is in the technology sector," he said. "I'm really amazed by the level of robotics and technology on display."