As the 2026 World AI Conference (WAIC) closed in Shanghai on Monday, international attendees hailed China as a front‑runner in AI. The Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone's exhibitors offered a clear snapshot of the industry's arc — from human‑AI interaction, to vertical‑sector deployment, to computing infrastructure — together illustrating how AI moves from breakthroughs to real‑world empowerment.

The iFLYTEK exhibition area at the 2026 World AI Conference. [Photo/WeChat account: hefeigaoxinfabu]

At iFLYTEK’s booth, the company demonstrated everyday AI interactions. Its smart classrooms serve over 60,000 schools nationwide, with AI‑powered blackboards generating 3D teaching aids and virtual tutors guiding inquiry‑based learning. The Spark Medical Large Model V3.5 has completed 1.23 billion assisted diagnoses, with a 91% adoption rate by physicians.

The Guochuang Software exhibition area at the 2026 World AI Conference. [Photo/WeChat account: hefeigaoxinfabu]

On the computing frontier, Guochuang Software unveiled a quantum‑classical hybrid service, named among the top 10 quantum innovation use cases. With two decades in the sector, the firm is pushing computing boundaries via the integration with AI and its "digital employee" is already deployed in the fields of telecom, energy, and transportation.

Screenshot of the vivago R1 agent product video from HiDream.ai. [Photo/WeChat account: hefeigaoxinfabu]

At the same time, AI capabilities are expanding. HiDream.ai launched vivago R1, the world's first multi‑modal agent for unlimited‑length content creation, moving AI from single‑purpose tools toward true intelligent partnership.

The application scope is also going global. Sonicloud offers lightweight, multilingual AI office solutions for Global South markets, while HiDream.ai co‑founded the "Belt and Road" Token Alliance to connect China's native full‑modal AI with global digital infrastructure.

The zone's companies covered every link in the AI chain — interaction shaping computing demand, computing expanding capability, and capability unlocking new use scenarios.