The AI Data Center of the 2026 Apsara Conference. [Photo/Tide News]

The 2026 Apsara Conference, themed "Intelligence Goes Beyond," opened in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Sept 22, showcasing how artificial intelligence is moving from digital workspaces into industrial settings.

The event's four exhibition halls cover intelligence, computing power, creativity, and industry, with AI applications ranging from content creation and digital employees to multi-agent collaboration and embodied intelligence.

Chinese director Lu Chuan is using Alibaba's video generation model to create a short film about the 1626 Wanggongchang explosion in Beijing during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). His team recreated historical scenes from scattered written records in just five days, compared with the three to six months and millions of yuan that traditional production could require.

The event also highlights the rapid development of AI agents. An AgentCore demonstration shows how multiple AI agents can work together. After users enter information such as height, weight, and sleep patterns, the system can generate a health assessment and coordinate virtual nutritionists, trainers, and scheduling specialists to provide personalized fitness advice.

In another hall, Sudo Technology is demonstrating an embodied-intelligence battery assembly line. Unlike conventional robotic arms programmed for fixed tasks, the system can identify different battery sizes, adjust handling strategies, and coordinate with other production steps, allowing greater flexibility in manufacturing.

The conference offers a glimpse of how AI is evolving into a practical tool for both workers and industries.