The 2026 Inclusion·Outer Bank Conference, themed "Creating a New AI Economy," opened in the Huangpu Expo Park in Shanghai on the morning of September 10th.
This year's conference focuses on the key transition of artificial intelligence from "generation" to "execution." It revolves around three main areas: "Intelligent Leap," "Economic Restructuring," and "Human-Centered Future." The conference includes one main forum and more than 40 insight forums, gathering over 600 speakers from both domestic and international backgrounds. These include Nobel Prize winner in Economics Thomas J. Sargent, Philippe Aghion, Zhang Hongjiang, a partner at Source Code Capital and academician of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering, Wang Jian, director of Zhejiang Lab and founder of Alibaba Cloud, Lu Chaoyang, professor at University of Science and Technology of China, Wang Mengdi, professor at Princeton University, economists Huang Yiping, Miao Yanliang, Xing ZiQiang, as well as technology industry practitioners such as Han XinYi, Zhou JingRen, Liu ZuoHu, and Jorn Lambert, who will jointly explore how AI reshapes the economic landscape, promotes industrial progress, and enhances social well-being.
The conference also features a 15,000 square meter thematic technology exhibition, attracting more than 300 tech companies to participate. The exhibition showcases real-world changes brought by AI: intelligent agents connecting commerce, AI health entering households, and AI payment agents moving from "handling affairs" to "executing transactions." AI is leaving work scenarios and entering "after-hours" life services; embodied intelligence is taking up jobs, with more than 40 manufacturers demonstrating robots in practical applications. New supply and new demand are being activated simultaneously, and individuals and enterprises are sharing new opportunities brought by AI.
Throughout the conference, events such as the Innovators Stage, Tech Innovation Competition, Developer Day, Startup Meetup, Tech Talent Recruitment Fair, and AI Art Festival are held, attracting participants and audiences from over 50 countries and regions.
