(Yicai) June 24 -- The new artificial intelligence zone at the fourth China International Supply Chain Expo has turned into the highlight of this year's event after Nvidia, Apple, Qualcomm, and SK Hynix were among the leading Chinese and foreign tech firms to set up booths there.

The participating AI giants are not only showing their latest products but also their collaborative capabilities within the global supply chain at the new zone of the CISCE, which runs from June 22 to 26 in Beijing. For example, Nvidia hosted an all-day-long robot interactive performance in collaboration with Chinese partners Galbot and AgiBot at its booth.

AI and robotics are no longer showcased as standalone technological achievements but instead are integrated into various aspects of production, distribution, and service throughout the supply chain, Yicai noticed at the expo yesterday. This year's event further highlights the growing influence of China's supply chain, which has turned it into an important global player, especially for emerging industries.

"The CISCE focuses on one of the most important systems in the world: the supply chain," Jensen Huang, chief executive of Nvidia, said in a video during the opening day of the expo. "The supply chain connects energy, factories, logistics, enterprises, and customers, thereby linking the entire world.

"China is one of the key technology and industrial centers globally, with exceptional engineers, agile developers, and companies achieving remarkable growth at an extraordinary scale," Huang noted.

Nvidia saw more than 110 of its clients, partners, original equipment manufacturers, ecosystem partners, and members of its Inception Program in China gather at the CISCE for the first time.

In addition, Apple and leading Chinese suppliers AAC Technologies Holdings, Sunny Optical Technology Group, and Jiangsu Cowain Technology are hosting a joint exhibition, while Jingyi Automation Equipment, Genori Technology, Konfoong Materials International, and Sinophorus Electronic Materials were among the firms to appear at the booth of SK Hynix, which made its debut at the CISCE.

AI and robots were present not only in the AI Zone but throughout various venues. In addition to tech companies, the integration of AI is rapidly advancing in the banking, auto, entertainment, and even agriculture industries.

Robots and robotic dogs are almost ubiquitous, showing various skills, including providing directions, threading needles, and shaking hands when someone greets them with a hello. In addition, some robots can direct traffic, detect fires, and even perform simulated surgeries.

The role of the Chinese supply chain is becoming increasingly crucial in the storage, AI computing power, embodied intelligence, and other relevant sectors.

The latest CISCE features six major chains and supply chain service exhibition areas, including the digital and intelligent technology chain, the advanced manufacturing chain, the green agriculture chain, the healthy living chain, the smart vehicle chain, and the clean energy chain. Some 676 leading firms and institutions from 85 countries and regions are participating.

Overseas exhibitors accounted for over a third of the total this year, with the actual number of exhibitors exceeding 1,200 if the upstream and downstream partners they have brought are included in the count. In addition, more than 200 foreign delegations are expected to attend meetings, exhibitions, and discussions in China.

Editor: Martin Kadiev