Uzbekistan's Minister of Digital Technologies, Sherzod Shermatov, participated in the opening of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2026, held in Shanghai. The event has become one of the largest international platforms for discussing the future of AI, the digital economy, and technological cooperation.
Chinese President Xi Jinping also took part in the opening ceremony, noting the importance of artificial intelligence development, its safe application, and the expansion of international cooperation in this area.
WAIC 2026 plans to host over 140 forums, panel discussions, and thematic sessions dedicated to the implementation of AI in industry, business, public administration, and other sectors.
More than 1400 specialists and representatives of the technology industry from various countries, as well as over 1100 companies, are participating in the conference. Over 300 new AI-based products and solutions are being demonstrated for the first time at the exhibition.
One of the main topics of the forum was international cooperation in AI, the exchange of technological experience, and the creation of unified approaches to artificial intelligence regulation.
Uzbekistan's participation in WAIC 2026 reflects the country's desire to actively integrate into the global technological ecosystem, develop digital projects, and use artificial intelligence as a tool for economic growth.