NANNING, Sept 23 (TNA) – Artificial intelligence is taking center stage at the 22nd China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) this year, with a dedicated 10,000-square-meter exhibition area showcasing cutting-edge technology from both Chinese and international companies. Tech giants like Huawei, Alibaba Cloud, and iFLYTEK are exhibiting alongside international firms, including Laos-based ALO Group, as the event becomes a testing ground for AI applications.
Inside the exhibition halls, attendees are seeing firsthand how AI is transforming various industries. Systems are on display that can generate real-time crop optimization plans for agriculture, precisely identify product defects in manufacturing, and provide immersive, interactive experiences for language learning. A service robot fluent in Chinese, English, and Vietnamese is drawing crowds for medical consultations, while booths demonstrating AI-powered medical diagnostic systems are generating long queues.
An AI education management system from a Lao company, designed to optimize learning and teaching efficiency, is attracting attention. The company hopes to partner with Chinese firms to create educational solutions tailored for Southeast Asia’s multilingual environments. Thai exhibitors have expressed strong interest in China’s “City Brain” technology for urban traffic management, with the goal of integrating it with local data to develop intelligent transportation solutions.
The expo’s new “AI Exhibition Agent,” which supports eight ASEAN languages and offers services like guided tours and scheduling, is proving to be a game-changer. A Malaysian exhibitor praised the tool, calling it a “personal assistant” for its ability to quickly locate potential suppliers and improve efficiency.
The integration of AI extends beyond the expo floor. Lei Xiaohua, Deputy Director of the Southeast Asian Studies Institute at the Guangxi Academy of Social Sciences, noted that AI is shifting China-ASEAN cooperation from traditional trade to technological collaboration and data sharing. China’s strengths in algorithms and industrial chains complement ASEAN’s digital demographic dividend, creating vast potential for partnership.
This potential is already being realized. A Lao enterprise is demonstrating a local-language AI model that is helping to bridge the digital divide in its home country. A Thai company is showcasing a Thai-language AI engine for policy and news searches, while Chinese firms are using voice recognition and real-time translation to break down language barriers.
Lan Wei, Dean Assistant of the School of Computer, Electronics and Information at Guangxi University, emphasized that the collaboration has moved past simple technology exchange to form a new, forward-looking regional cooperation paradigm. During the expo, several Chinese AI companies signed agreements with ASEAN partners on projects ranging from smart city development to digital talent cultivation, solidifying the trend. -819 (810) (TNA)
