The pulse of global technological innovation is beating in Chongqing this week as the city transforms into a grand stage for the future. The 2025 World Smart Industry Expo has officially opened, bringing together over 550 leading companies and more than 3,000 cutting-edge exhibits that paint a vivid picture of an AI-driven world. From autonomous vehicles that navigate complex urban environments to robotic baristas serving perfect coffee, the expo is a living testament to how artificial intelligence is fundamentally reshaping industry and daily life.
A Convergence of Global Minds and Machines
This year’s event is strategically centered on two transformative themes: “AI+” and intelligent connected New Energy Vehicles (NEVs). The sprawling exhibits delve into critical areas like digital city governance, advanced robotics, and the burgeoning low-altitude economy, highlighting the synergy between digital and physical worlds. The international spirit of collaboration is underscored by Singapore’s role as the Guest Country of Honor and Sichuan Province as the Guest Province of Honor, fostering a rich exchange of ideas and technology across borders.
The opening ceremony set a profound tone for the week, featuring nine visionary keynotes on AI’s role in social change. Harry Shum Heung-Yeung, Chairman of the Council at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and a Foreign Member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering, captured the audience’s imagination by discussing the rise of embodied intelligence. He forecast a near future where robots can learn, adapt, and collaborate with humans in dynamic, real-world settings, moving beyond pre-programmed tasks.
Echoing this sentiment, Cedrik Neike, CEO of Digital Industries at Siemens AG, outlined how AI is accelerating the shift toward software-defined automation. This evolution is empowering industries to achieve unprecedented levels of flexibility, efficiency, and sustainability, marking a new chapter in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
From Ideas to Investment: Billions in Deals Sealed
Beyond the theoretical, the expo is a powerful engine for tangible business outcomes. It hosts 11 dedicated matchmaking events focused on AI, digital transformation, and equity financing. These sessions have connected tech giants like Huawei and Baidu with over 40 investment institutions, catalyzing significant financial agreements.
The result is a monumental wave of investment, with contracts totaling over 200 billion yuan (approximately $27.5 billion USD) being signed. A remarkable 120 billion yuan of this was committed on-site during the expo’s opening. These funds will propel landmark projects, such as Geely‘s smart manufacturing initiative, which is poised to strengthen regional supply chains and supercharge Chongqing’s ambitious “33618” advanced manufacturing cluster strategy. This municipal plan aims to upgrade the industrial structure and establish the city as a nationally significant hub for advanced manufacturing, driving growth in sectors from NEVs and electronics to biomedicine.
The NEV Pavilion: Where the Road Meets the Cloud
A major highlight of the expo is the dedicated NEV pavilion, a veritable showcase of automotive evolution. It features 20 global automakers, including industry leaders like Changan, Seres, and Tesla, supported by a network of over 100 parts suppliers and ecosystem partners. The pavilion is a dynamic display of progress in smart driving technologies, software-defined vehicles, and intelligent manufacturing processes that are making cars smarter, safer, and more connected than ever before.
The event also serves as a launchpad for groundbreaking new technologies. Major debuts include Changan’s new “SDA Intelligence” brand, the Chongqing Low-Altitude Smart Management Service Platform, an open AI Computing Architecture, Sugon‘s powerful AI Supercluster system, and the launch of the China NEV Challenge.
First held in 2018, the event—formerly known as the Smart China Expo—has cemented its status as a premier global platform for digital innovation. It continues to unite industry titans, pioneering scholars, and key policymakers, offering a crucial window into the next wave of smart technology breakthroughs and fostering the international collaboration needed to bring them to life.
