Breakthrough applications take center stage at World AI Conference

An impressive selection of intelligent robots and other AI-powered products are being presented at the ongoing 2025 World AI Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, showcasing the wide-ranging applications and possibilities of this emerging technology.

The conference, running from Saturday to Tuesday, has showcased robots capable of making popcorn, working production lines, and even assembling stools, all powered by artificial intelligence.

While these achievements have drawn eyes, many exhibitors insist that the most exciting applications of AI technology require no special robotic hardware -- just a mobile phone. INTSIG Information Co. Ltd (INTSIG), a world-leading tech company specializing in business data, artificial intelligence, and mobile applications, showcased how their AI software can scan large artistic works piece by piece, creating a detailed digital replica of the whole.

"It is widely applicable, not only in the protection of cultural relics, but also in engineering, or even wall painting," said Chen Weihao, a representative for INTSIG.

The firm also showcased another technology that aims to protect people from telecom fraud amid the growing threat of deep-fake videos. Their software was able to detect AI-generated people in 99 percent of cases.

Another area where AI is quickly making surprising headways is in weather forecasting -- an increasingly crucial field as climate change-induced extreme weather becomes more frequent.

On Saturday, the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) launched MAZU, a Joint Action for Early Warnings for All. As part of the initiative, it donated MAZU-urban, an AI agent for urban multi-hazard early warning, to Djibouti and Mongolia.

"It has already been tested and trialled in 35 countries and regions around the world, and many are from African areas," said Chen Xiaoyan, a representative for Shanghai Meteorological Information and Technical Support Center.

Breakthrough applications take center stage at World AI Conference

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Russia holds the strategic initiative along the entire front lines and the goals of the country's special military operation in Ukraine will be achieved.

"The past year has been an important milestone in fulfilling the tasks of the special military operation," Putin said while addressing an expanded meeting of the Russian Defense Ministry.

Putin underscored that Russia has the capability to accelerate its offensive pace, adding that Russia's task of expanding the security buffer zone will be fulfilled, and the core goals of the operation will be realized.

"This year alone, more than 300 settlements have been liberated, including major cities that the enemy had turned into fortified strongholds equipped with long-term defensive structures," the Russian leader said.

He said that the Russian military currently holds the strategic initiative along the entire Russia-Ukraine conflict front and is defeating Ukrainian forces, including elite Ukrainian units trained in the West.

Russia is currently seeking mutually beneficial and fair cooperation with the United States and European countries, Putin said.

Putin rejected claims portraying Russia as a threat to European nations, saying that such narratives are unfounded and fabricated.

Putin also announced that several submarines and surface ships have been commissioned into the Russian Navy this year, while the "Oreshnik" missile complex will enter combat duty by the end of 2025.

Russian military holds strategic initiative along entire Russia-Ukraine conflict front: Putin