Hangzhou expo showcases AI's next commercial frontier

The 2026 Hangzhou AI Full-Chain Twin Expo will be held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, from Nov 11-13.[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

China's artificial intelligence industry is moving beyond the race to build ever-larger foundation models, with growing attention shifting toward practical applications powered by industry-specific AI models and autonomous AI agents.

Reflecting this shift, Hangzhou will host what organizers describe as one of the world's first exhibitions dedicated to token computing, domain-specific AI models and AI agents from Nov 11 to 13 at the Hangzhou Grand Convention & Exhibition Center.

The 2026 Hangzhou AI Full-Chain Twin Expo comes as China advances its "AI+" initiative and speeds up the integration of artificial intelligence with the real economy.

Unlike conventional AI exhibitions that focus primarily on foundational technologies, the event will showcase how AI is being deployed across industries, including manufacturing, finance, digital governance, cultural tourism and e-commerce.

More than 400 companies from across the AI ecosystem are expected to present technologies and products covering computing infrastructure, industry-tailored AI models, intelligent agents and related services. The program will also feature forums and technical workshops bringing together researchers, business leaders, investors and policymakers.

Hangzhou has emerged as one of China's leading AI hubs, supported by a strong digital economy and a growing concentration of technology companies. Organizers say the exhibition will serve as a platform for technology providers, industry users and investors to explore new business opportunities and accelerate the commercialization of AI innovations.