Shanghai – The 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), held from July 26 to 28 in Shanghai, showcased an unprecedented display of robotics, particularly humanoid models, drawing significant attention from industry experts. Helen Toner, Director of Strategy at Georgetown’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET) and a prominent voice in AI safety, noted the overwhelming presence of advanced machines, stating, "Got back last last night from the World AI Conference in Shanghai. Megathread with photos/videos/thoughts from the conf itself + giant expo next door (ended up going back to the expo 3 times bc there were so many interesting booths) First up: robots robots robots (yes, inc Unitree)."
The annual WAIC, recognized as one of the most influential AI events globally, significantly expanded its exhibition area in 2025 to over 70,000 square meters. This year's conference saw a record-breaking 3,000 cutting-edge products demonstrated, with 60 new robots making their debut, underscoring a strong industry focus on embodied intelligence and hardware integration. The event served as a platform for discussions on academic breakthroughs, software-hardware synergy, and global AI governance.
Unitree Robotics, a leading developer in the field, was among the companies prominently featured, as highlighted by Toner. Unitree is known for its high-performance quadruped robots like the Go2 and B2, and notably, launched its first general-purpose humanoid robot, the Unitree H1, in December 2023. The H1, capable of walking at 3.3 m/s and carrying a 30kg load, represents a significant step towards versatile humanoid applications in various sectors.
The surge in robotics at WAIC aligns with broader global AI trends for 2025, which emphasize the rise of humanoid robots, collaborative robots (cobots), and increasingly autonomous AI systems. Experts predict substantial growth in the AI robotics market, driven by advancements in machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing. The exhibition reflected this trajectory, demonstrating how AI is enabling robots to become more intelligent, adaptable, and capable of operating independently in complex environments.
Helen Toner's observations from the conference are particularly relevant given her extensive background in AI policy and governance. Her work at CSET focuses on understanding and mitigating the risks associated with advanced AI, making her insights into the rapid deployment and capabilities of new robotic systems highly valuable for the ongoing discourse on responsible AI development.