Windy Shao

windysjf@hotmail.com

THE Global AI Device Expo 2025 — China’s first specialized trade show dedicated entirely to artificial intelligence (AI) smart devices —officially opened at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center in Futian District on Thursday.

This expo offers a complete look at AI, from foundational technologies to smart devices and advanced applications that use large language models (LLMs). More than 1,000 AI products and state-of-the-art technologies are on display, including smartphones, PCs, tablets, industrial-grade AI terminals, smart glasses, and smartwatches.

Organizers emphasize the event’s role in advancing Shenzhen’s goal of becoming a globally competitive AI innovation hub and fostering synergy among technology, capital, talent, and real-world applications.

Industry leaders such as Huawei, Honor, ZTE, Skyworth, and TCL unveiled a wave of next-generation devices ranging from AI phones to smart office equipment and smart home solutions.

The expo also features the Innovative Products Launch Zone, which is dedicated to the cutting-edge achievements of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), providing a valuable platform for emerging companies to showcase technologies and applications that resonate with everyday life.

Throughout the event, a series of forums and seminars will address hot topics such as edge AI models, AI glasses, AI toys, and embodied-intelligence robotics.

Adding to the technical highlights, numerous investment firms participated alongside portfolio companies, creating a “finance + technology + industry” ecosystem designed to spur innovation through enhanced collaboration and funding opportunities.

As a major national innovation hub, Shenzhen boasts significant advantages for developing the AI device industry.

According to official statistics, Shenzhen’s total social R&D investment has sustained double-digit growth for nine consecutive years. In 2024, R&D spending accounted for 6.5% of the city’s GDP, with corporate R&D comprising 95% of total investment — ranking Shenzhen first in China.

In 2024, Shenzhen’s smartphone production represented 23.4% of China’s total, smartwatches accounted for 57.2%, and industrial robot output reached 24.1%.

During the opening ceremony on Thursday, two specialized funds were announced. The first is a 5 billion yuan (US$690 million) AI Device Fund, and the second is an initial 2 billion yuan AI and Embodied-Intelligence Robotics Industry Fund.

The Shenzhen AI Smart Glasses Industry Alliance was also established. Notably, AI smart glasses are moving beyond conceptual demonstrations into practical, consumer-ready products, driven by breakthroughs in voice interaction, dynamic visual perception, lightweight optics, and multimodal interaction capabilities.

Fan Qin, General Manager of Doctor Glasses, told Shenzhen Daily, “I am especially optimistic about smart glasses. With strong support from the Shenzhen government and advances in AI and AR technologies, alongside high consumer acceptance, I am very confident about the future of the smart glasses industry.”

Giuseppe Imbrenda, an Italian attending the expo as a consultant, shared, “I’m here looking for AI solutions for the medical sector. Considering China is, along with the United States, a global leader in this field, I believe the future is here.”

Artemey Melnikov, from Belarus, played a game of chess with a robot developed by China’s SenseTime during the expo. “This is my first time playing chess against a robot,” he said. “It spotted my mistakes within seconds. As a player rated 1800 in chess, I am deeply impressed.”