As Bill Reichert walked through the exhibition halls of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference, demonstrations of AR glasses offering real-time Chinese-English subtitles caught his attention.
Reichert, a partner at US-based Pegasus Tech Ventures, called the experience a "wow moment". The technology showed him how AI could make it easier for people to communicate across language barriers.
"It's as if I were anywhere else in the world that actually speaks English," he said.
The 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance was held in Shanghai from July 17 to 20 under the theme "AI Partnership for a Brighter Future".
The exhibition brought together more than 1,100 companies, and over 300 AI products made their global debuts.
Reichert was among the international guests attending the conference. Having first visited China around 2012, Reichert has since traveled to places including Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Those experiences have given him a broader perspective on how technology is reshaping innovation and communication worldwide.
"AI is going to flatten the world in terms of anybody, anywhere, being able to connect with anyone in any language. And that's a big deal," he said.
For Edwin Montealegre, a Costa Rican conductor and director of Shanghai Monestel Music Productions, AI has already become part of his creative process.
A graduate of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Montealegre was attending the conference for the second time. He noticed a change in emphasis this year.
"Before, the focus was on how to use AI. But now, AI is no longer just a device or a tool — it has become part of our everyday lives," he said.
