The 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) opened in Shanghai with a dedicated cross-strait exhibition zone, drawing multiple Taiwan-funded enterprises to showcase their AI application achievements. Among the highlights, Inventec's VRSTATE used AI to generate outfit recommendations and skeletal health reports.
The "2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and High-Level Conference on AI Global Governance" was held July 17–20 across three venues and four halls at Shanghai's World Expo, Zhangjiang, and West Bund sites, with officials reporting over 1,100 participating companies. Continuing from last year, the conference again set up a cross-strait exhibition zone, with more than ten Taiwan-funded tech giants including Inventec taking part.
Inventec's subsidiary VRSTATE focuses on developing AI applications. David Yen, R&D Director of Inventec's Metaverse Technology Division, noted that Inventec's core business is servers, where it holds hardware advantages, and is therefore seeking new directions. At WAIC, the company presented "MetaBang Fashion Home" and "MetaBang Health Manager"—after users take photos or perform guided movements, AI generates outfit recommendations and skeletal health reports respectively. The company is currently in talks with Taiwan industry partners on cooperation.
In addition, Inventec maintained a separate exhibition space at the World Expo venue, focused primarily on showcasing its servers.
Pan Xianzhang, Deputy Director of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, and Jin Mei, Director of the Shanghai Taiwan Affairs Office, visited the cross-strait zone on the afternoon of July 17, hearing introductions from various companies and touring the "Mazu" Chinese meteorological intelligent early-warning system exhibit and the Inventec booth. (CNA reporter Liao Wen-Chi, Shanghai, July 17; Editor: Zhu Jianling)
Cross-Strait Zone at Shanghai WAIC Gathers Top Taiwan Firms; Mainland's "Mazu" Weather Warning System Debuts (ETtoday)
The 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and High-Level Conference on AI Global Governance opened grandly in Shanghai on July 17. The conference specially established a "Cross-Strait Zone," attracting more than ten leading Taiwan-funded enterprises to showcase cutting-edge technology. In the afternoon, Pan Xianzhang, Deputy Director of the Taiwan Affairs Office, accompanied by Shanghai Taiwan Affairs Office Deputy Director Jin Mei and others, visited the zone—gaining an in-depth understanding of Inventec, Beijing Hanzhixing, and other Taiwan companies, while also showing a rare lighter side by interacting with an AI virtual avatar for a style recommendation experience. He then headed to the China Meteorological Administration exhibit to experience the "Mazu" weather early-warning system, currently deployed in Pakistan and six other countries.
The conference theme was "Intelligent Partners, Creating the Future Together." Running for four days, it opened simultaneously across three venues and four halls—World Expo, Zhangjiang, and West Bund—with a total exhibition area exceeding 100,000 square meters. More than 1,100 companies showcased over 3,000 cutting-edge technology achievements, with more than 300 AI products making their global debut across the four halls.
The conference's cross-strait zone brought together more than ten outstanding Taiwan-funded enterprises, collectively displaying cutting-edge innovations in smart mobility, AI computing power, smart manufacturing, and health technology. Inventec, centered on its "AI Factory" concept, exhibited "Domain" AI virtual avatar services and edge AI devices, presenting a complete layout from computing power to real-world scenarios.
Pan Xianzhang visited the cross-strait zone in the afternoon, interacting with heads of multiple Taiwan-funded enterprises. At the first stop, staff introduced the most popular AI virtual technology, and Pan immediately remarked, "AI singers are really popular right now."
He then toured Inventec and other Taiwan companies, personally exchanging views with business leaders and asking questions to better understand current operations. Pan also showed a rare playful side, interacting with an AI avatar by taking a photo and selecting a preferred style to have the AI create a personalized outfit look. While waiting for the analysis, Pan focused intently on the screen, and the final AI fashion recommendation was a casual, relaxed style.
Excerpted from ETtoday 【Cross-Strait Zone at Shanghai WAIC Gathers Top Taiwan Firms; Mainland's "Mazu" Weather Warning System Debuts】Reporter: Ren Yi-Fang / Shanghai