THE 2025 Shanghai Science Festival will kick off Saturday at the Zhangjiang Science Hall, launching a 14-day celebration of technology and innovation.

From May 17 to 30, around 2,000 science and technology-related events will be available to the public, including exhibitions, popular science lectures, innovation competitions, and interactive tech experiences.

During the opening ceremony, distinguished scientists, along with representatives from research institutions, universities and tech companies, will attend an AI red carpet event.

The venue will showcase advanced XR technology that captures real-time data from the guests, dynamically displaying their scientific achievements as they walk the red carpet.

First held in 1991, the Shanghai Science Festival is the first government-led science and technology fest in China and the second in the world to be named after a city.

Over the years, the science red carpet has become one of the signature highlights. Last year’s edition incorporated metaverse technology, while this year’s festival introduces humanoid robots.

Under the theme of “Science and Technology Make Life Better,” the festival focuses on three main themes: encouraging scientists to achieve breakthroughs, fostering scientific thinking in young people, and showcasing Shanghai’s achievements in becoming an international innovation center, according to Huang Hong, deputy director of the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission.

Lectures, salons and tours are offered to inspire young people to pursue science-related careers. For example, Shanghai Jiao Tong University will host popular science activities in particle physics and cosmology.

During the festival, 56 key laboratories and large-scale scientific facilities, including the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Intelligent Manufacturing and Robotics and the National Facility for Protein Science in Shanghai, will open to the public.

Additionally, 48 science popularization bases, including Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park and Shanghai Wildlife Zoo, will offer special discounts to the public.

The 4th Shanghai Science Communication Conference will also be held Saturday.

(SD-Agencies)