Industrial AI brings Belt and Road Partners together in Shanghai

An international training program on industrial artificial intelligence for Belt and Road partner countries concluded in Shanghai on July 4. It brought together more than 20 participants from countries including Hungary, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, the Philippines, Romania, Russia, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

Hosted by China's Ministry of Science and Technology and organized by the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, the program combined academic lectures, field visits, seminars and cultural exchanges.

Experts from leading Chinese universities and research institutions delivered courses on AI-enabled manufacturing, biomedical engineering, intelligent energy systems, international AI policy, industrial AI practices in China, and the integration of finance with artificial intelligence.

Participants also visited AI companies, innovation platforms and industrial parks in east China's Shanghai and Suzhou, gaining first-hand exposure to developments in humanoid robotics, quantum technologies, industrial automation and AI incubation.

During dedicated seminars, participants shared experiences from their home countries and discussed industrial AI trends, talent development and new models of international cooperation. Many said China's experience in linking technological innovation with industrial applications could offer useful references for their own economies.

At the closing ceremony, Xu Chun, Chair of the AIM Global Centre of Excellence under the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), presented certificates to the participants.

Organizers said the program was designed to strengthen AI capacity building and talent exchanges among Belt and Road partner countries. The Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Research Institute said it plans to expand cooperation in joint laboratories, industrial transformation, real-world AI applications and talent development, while building more open platforms for knowledge-sharing and technological collaboration.

Founded in 2019, the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, or SAIRI, was jointly founded by Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the People's Government of Minhang District of Shanghai, Lingang Group, and SenseTime. The institute focuses on cutting-edge research, technology commercialization, talent development and industrial ecosystem building, while promoting the integration of AI innovation with real-world applications.