Photos: World Artificial Intelligence Conference 2022 kicks off in China

Technicians make programming adjustments near a robot at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, China. With the theme of "Intelligent Connectivity, Infinite Multiverse", this year's WAIC kicked off in China's Shanghai on Thursday.

As the first batch of restarted exhibitions and conferences in Shanghai following the lift of the city's COVID-19 lockdown in June, the three-day WAIC 2022 will see strict pandemic prevention measures. As a result, many events will be held online with metaverse innovations. Above, an Unitree Robotics Aliengo quadruped robot at Huawei Technologies Co.'s Ascend Computing division at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai.

Robots at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai. Several dozen innovations and products, covering brain-computer interface, the metaverse, AI chips, autonomous driving and green-energy development, will debut at the WAIC, which has been held since 2018.

Robots perform Pekin Opera at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, China, on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. The conference runs through Sept. 3.

A Huawei Technologies Co. booth at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai.

A visitor tries an augmented reality (AR) glasses.

Robots, intelligent transportation, AI's integration with art, chip design and industrial applications are significant themes at the WAIC. Above, a Huawei Technologies Co. booth at Shanghai's World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC).

A JD Logistics Inc. autonomous delivery vehicle at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai.

A Maipu Communication Technology Co. circuitry board.

Branding for Ant Group Co. on a face mask at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai.

An Unitree Robotics Aliengo quadruped robot at Huawei Technologies Co.'s Ascend Computing division.

Signage for Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd. at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai.

The WAIC will also open a metaverse space for residents, who can customize their avatars on skin color, hairstyle and several glasses choices. Above, people visit a metaverse booth during World Artificial Intelligence Conference.