AI moves from cloud to edge at Shenzhen's global terminal expo

As artificial intelligence (AI) moves from the cloud to the edge, Shenzhen is once again positioning itself at the center of the next technological wave.Visitors crowd the exhibition floor during the World AI Device Expo 2025 at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center, showcasing the latest advancements in artificial intelligence hardware and applications. Photos courtesy of event organzier

Aiming to accelerate the integration of AI into physical devices and shift the industry's focus from cloud-based models to tangible, consumer-facing hardware, the World AI Device Expo 2026 & Seventh Shenzhen Global AI Expo (GAIE) is scheduled to be held from May 14 to 16 at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center in Futian, organizers announced at a press conference Wednesday.

Themed "From the cloud to the terminal: a new era begins," the 30,000-square-meter expo will bring together more than 400 exhibitors and 100 experts, 20,000 developers and 50,000 professional visitors from home and abroad.

It will showcase the full spectrum of AI terminal innovation across six key dimensions: new species, new economy, new applications, new creativity, new experiences, and new ideas.

Among the most anticipated highlights is the debut of so-called "AI new species" — a new generation of hardware of the AI era.

Visitors gather at the Honor booth during the World AI Device Expo 2025 at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center, where the company highlights its latest AI-driven devices and ecosystem strategy.

Honor, the Shenzhen-based smartphone maker spun off from Huawei Technologies Co., will showcase three eye-catching products, including a humanoid robot who won a half-marathon race for robots in Beijing earlier this month, and an AI-powered "Robot Phone" — part of the company's broader pivot from a smartphone vendor into an AI terminal ecosystem player.

An exhibition group from Huaqiangbei, often called "China's No. 1 Electronics Street," will also present the latest trends in AI consumer products and technology evolution during the expo.

Other notable products on display include non-invasive health screening robots, AI rings, OpenClaw series intelligent agents, AI desktop robots, AI photo frames and AI alarm clocks — covering diverse scenarios such as smart health, wearable devices, embodied intelligence and home interaction.

Visitors gather at the Huaqiangbei exhibition area, which is known as “China’s No. 1 Electronics Street,” during the World AI Device Expo 2025 at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center.

The expo will also highlight a new business model gaining traction across China's AI landscape: the One-Person Company (OPC). These "super individuals" demonstrate how highly specialized entrepreneurs can leverage AI tools to build entire product lines, embodying the concept of "one person, one product line."

A dedicated OPC exhibition area at the expo will offer low-threshold exhibition opportunities for small and micro enterprises and independent developers.

Beyond consumer hardware, the expo will explore the economic engine driving the AI industry. Key players in computing infrastructure and large-model applications — including Huakun Zhenyu, Boda Data and Sitong Group — will demonstrate the full commercial loop from infrastructure to application.

On-site developer events will invite global developers to co-create applications based on hardware platforms, offering a clear view of the complete loop from development to token monetization.

Zhang Luncheng, vice president of X Square Robot, speaks at a press conference for the World AI Device Expo 2026 & 7th Shenzhen Global AI Expo (GAIE) in Shenzhen yesterday.

Zhang Luncheng, vice president of X Square Robot, an exhibitor which has recently gained international recognition for its home-cleaning robots, said the AI landscape evolves rapidly.

"Just a year ago, the focus was on the number of parameters in cloud-based large models and the scale of computing clusters," he told reporters. "Now, the trend has shifted dramatically. By the end of May, our new-generation robot powered by the WALL-B model will officially enter its first batch of homes — marking the first large-scale deployment of robots in complex consumer environments."

The expo emphasizes practical AI applications across industries. Major State-owned firms, including Shenzhen Port Group, Shenzhen Expressway, Shenzhen Gas, Shenzhen Energy, and Shenzhen Water and Environment Group, will present real-world application scenarios spanning smart logistics, intelligent transportation, smart energy and smart water management.

The "Longgang AI Hardware Valley" and an AI application scenarios zone will demonstrate humanoid robots and other advanced technologies in simulated real-world settings.

Lang Liyan, executive president of the Shenzhen Artificial Intelligence Industry Association, addresses a press conference for the World AI Device Expo 2026 & 7th Shenzhen Global AI Expo (GAIE) in Shenzhen yesterday.

More than 100 high-intention buyer delegations have already confirmed their attendance, representing industries such as smart manufacturing, digital finance, public security, precision electronics, rail transit and digital trade.

Through targeted pre-expo matching and closed-door negotiations during the event, organizers aim to create tangible business opportunities for exhibitors, according to Lang Liyan, executive president of the Shenzhen Artificial Intelligence Industry Association, one of the organizers of the expo.

The expo also offers creative and immersive experiences. The "AI Fantasy Film Festival" has established five competition categories — art experiments, narrative shorts, music videos, cultural tourism and AI-generated content — with finalist works to be screened on-site. Visitors can even experience the process of "generating a short film with a single sentence," using AI tools and high-performance hardware.

An AI interactive experience zone will allow visitors to try cross-language communication using iFlytek translation headphones and Zhiyun AI translation pens, experience voice-to-text recording with AI recording cards and smartwatches, and explore smart wardrobes offering AI-powered outfit recommendations.

More than 40 high-profile forums will run alongside the expo, bringing together over 100 global experts, scholars and entrepreneurs to discuss topics ranging from international cooperation on AI standards to breakthroughs in autonomous decision-making, cross-border expansion strategies and AI safety governance.

World AI Device Expo 2026 & 7th Shenzhen Global AI Expo (GAIE)

Date: May 14-16

Venue: Hall 1, Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center in Futian District