The 2026 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit opened on Tuesday, November 3, in the historic water town of Wuzhen, Zhejiang Province. The opening ceremony set a tone of openness and collaboration, with the theme “Open Source and Openness, Collaborative Development and Shared Benefits.” The first day also saw the AI Wuzhen Dialogue, a forum that brought together experts to discuss the global open‑source AI ecosystem.
Wang Jian, a prominent figure in China’s AI community, said, “I believe the WIC will continue to play an important role in China’s AI development.” He added, “As open source and openness are global in nature, the Wuzhen Summit can help China contribute to global AI development.” These remarks echoed the summit’s broader commitment to sharing knowledge and building an internet that is accessible to all.
2025 World Internet Conference (2025 WIC) Light of Internet Expo kicked off in Wuzhen, East China's Zhejiang province, on Thursday. https://t.co/GmmIWCjpPZ https://t.co/0HKQeY9Q45
The following day, November 4, the Light of the Internet Expo opened, showcasing more than 1,000 new technologies and products from 671 companies and institutions across 54 countries and regions. Among the most talked‑about innovations were satellite internet solutions that promise to bring connectivity to remote areas, and sixth‑generation (6G) mobile communications that aim to deliver speeds and reliability beyond today’s 5G networks.
These sessions offered a stage for unveiling new products, while the matchmaking events aimed to spark connections among participants.
The expo also highlighted over 100 embodied intelligent robots, each designed for specific sectors such as industry, healthcare, elderly care, entertainment, and education. Visitors could see these machines representing applications across those sectors, underscoring how embodied intelligence is moving from laboratory to everyday life.
The Light of Internet Expo, part of the 2025 World Internet Conference, is now open in Wuzhen, Tongxiang, Zhejiang province! The exhibition hall is buzzing with visitors as robots showcase their dance moves🥰. Who do you think deserves center stage? https://t.co/Y0DpMkLJmo
A key focus of the summit was making digital and intelligent technologies accessible to the public. Interactive experiences were set up throughout the six exhibition zones—space‑air‑ground‑sea connectivity, AI applications, and human‑machine interaction—allowing general visitors, especially young people, to try out the latest gadgets and software. The organizers emphasized that the event was not only for industry insiders but also for anyone curious about the future of technology.
The expo ran until November 5, featuring 115 innovation release sessions and 10 industry matchmaking events. These sessions offered a stage for unveiling new products, while the matchmaking events aimed to spark connections among participants. The combination of public demos and industry networking illustrated the summit’s dual role as a showcase and a catalyst for collaboration.
Wuzhen, a canal town in Tongxiang, is hosting the 2026 "Light of the Internet" Expo from Nov 2 to 5, as a flagship event of the World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit, turning a destination known mainly for its waterways into a showcase for 6G, AI agents, and humanoid robots. https://t.co/9HEqUz35vb
Throughout the summit, 360 case submissions were received from 80 countries and regions. The 27 sub‑forums covered topics ranging from cyberspace governance to robotics, ensuring a comprehensive dialogue on the future of the internet.
On November 5, the Light of the Internet Expo concluded, leaving behind a trail of new ideas and partnerships. John Hoffman, a key participant, remarked, “The Wuzhen Summit provides a platform for sharing information and bringing together ideas on how to build an open internet accessible to all.” He added, “This year’s theme also reflects the summit’s longstanding commitment to leaving no one behind.” The event’s legacy is a clearer vision of an internet that is open, inclusive, and powered by the next generation of technologies.