The EVA desktop robots are exhibited at the 2026 Apsara Conference. [Photo/Hangzhou Daily]

The 2026 Apsara Conference was held from Sept 22 to 24, offering a preview on Sept 21 of how AI is moving beyond simple question-and-answer interactions to take on full tasks and reshape productivity.

At the Intelligence Engine Hall, multiple AI agents can be assigned different roles and work together. A demonstration created a virtual health management team of nutrition, training, and scheduling agents that divided tasks and produced a complete weekly plan.

The exhibition also features the EVA desktop robot, which uses voice and visual interaction to recognize users, track tasks, and assist with travel planning. The robot was launched on Sept 22 and is now priced at 899 yuan ($134).

At the Super Creation Hall, the "AI Office Bar" allows visitors without coding experience to turn workplace problems into reusable AI Skills. More than 200 Skills, toolkits, and templates cover tasks including financial reconciliation, contract review, recruitment, and marketing.

The Computing Power Foundation Hall highlights the infrastructure behind AI applications, linking computing resources with electricity consumption and carbon emissions. Meanwhile, the Industry Co-Creation Hall showcases data collection technologies for embodied intelligence and robotics.

From AI-generated films to collaborative agents and robotic data infrastructure, the conference highlights AI's shift from technological demonstrations toward practical applications.