A visitor looks at her AI digital avatar at MWC Shanghai, on June 26, 2024. Photo: Qi Xijia/GT

The 2024 Mobile World Congress (MWC) Shanghai kicked off at the Shanghai New International Expo Center on Wednesday. One of the highlights of this year's MWC Shanghai was the showcase of cutting-edge AI applications by Chinese companies, which drew in a large number of visitors eager to experience the future technology. 

China Unicom, for example, demonstrated the use of the Yuanjing Large Model in design of game characters and clothing. The application allows users to select the type, style, color, and other preferences for the clothing they want to generate, providing new inspiration for clothing designers. 

Huawei's exhibition hall featured AI applications on cellphones, making phone calls more engaging and convenient. At the exhibition, visitors could create their own AI digital avatar, which would appear on the screen during calls, mimicking their facial expressions and even translating speech in real-time for international conversations. 

Lenovo's booth showcased AI-powered personal computers, capable of creating presentations and images generated via a built-in large model.

Other attractions at the event include XREAL's AR glasses, which appeared almost indistinguishable from regular eyewear. However, once immersed in the AR space, users were greeted with a large surrounding screen, allowing them to enjoy immersive experiences such as watching movies and playing games. 

The demonstration of AI showcases Chinese companies' pursuit of new quality productive forces and effort to make breakthroughs in the face of US restrictions targeting Chinese technology. 

In the field of AI, the US focuses more on general large models, using text to generate images and videos. China, on the other hand, focuses on integrating artificial intelligence into various industries, Xiang Ligang, a veteran telecom expert, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

"I am very optimistic about China in this area," Xiang said.

MWC Shanghai is the largest and most influential gathering of the connectivity ecosystem in Asia. The event has also attracted exhibitors from Germany, India, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, the UK and the US.

A telecommunications professional from Spain told the Global Times at the event that he was impressed by the showcase of cutting-edge AR and AI technologies by major brands at the exhibition. 

"It was evident that the AI has boomed. The event featured more Asian companies, with many European and American brands actively participating," he said.

The presence of numerous foreign companies highlighted China's openness to international collaboration and development. The exchange of ideas and cooperation between domestic and foreign companies at the event will discover more opportunities for mutual growth, Xiang said.

This year's MWC Shanghai also focused on themes including the "low-altitude economy," "5G-Advanced," and "digital manufacturing." 

According to a report issued by the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA), the number of 5G connections in China will exceed 1 billion this year. 

By the end of 2030, the mobile communications industry in China is expected to contribute over $1 trillion to the overall economy annually.