International
AI, Digital Innovation Take Centre Stage As China Unveils 2026 Wuzhen Summit Agenda
By Iyojo Ameh
Artificial intelligence, global internet governance and digital innovation will take centre stage at the 2026 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit scheduled for November 2 to 5 in Wuzhen, Zhejiang Province, China.
The World Internet Conference Organisation announced the programme during a press conference for international media in Beijing on September 29, outlining major activities planned for the four-day global technology gathering.
The summit, themed “Openness and Collaboration: Working Together to Build a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace,” will feature an opening ceremony, a main forum and 27 sub-forums devoted to issues including artificial intelligence cooperation, robotics, intelligent technologies, global innovation, green digital development and internet governance.
A key attraction will be the Wuzhen Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence, which will bring together technology companies, open-source AI developers and scientists to examine the development of a global open-source AI ecosystem. Organisers also announced plans to release research focusing on AI safety and governance.
The summit will also host the Light of Internet Expo, the “Straight to Wuzhen” Global Internet Competition, the World Internet Conference Leading Science and Technology Award and the Outstanding Contribution Award. Special programmes will also be organised for young and emerging internet talents.
The World Internet Conference is organising the summit, while the People’s Government of Zhejiang Province is hosting the event. International organisations, including the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the World Intellectual Property Organisation and GSMA, are supporting the summit.
World Internet Conference Secretary-General Ren Xianliang attended the media briefing alongside Zhejiang Provincial Party Committee member Li Yanyi, Tongxiang Party Executive Deputy Secretary-General Liang Hao and Tongxiang Party Secretary Wang Jian.
During the question-and-answer session, organisers identified the Light of Internet Expo as one of the new highlights of this year’s summit, saying it would demonstrate the convergence of internet technologies and artificial intelligence.