China's largest artificial intelligence event, the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), kicked off in Shanghai on Friday with record-breaking attendance and extreme heat. Temperatures approached 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), causing heavy traffic congestion near the Shanghai Expo Centre. Many attendees abandoned their taxis and walked the final two kilometers to the venue under the blazing sun. Organizers described this year's conference as the hottest and most crowded since the event began six years ago, reflecting both the intensity of the weather and the growing interest in AI technology. The WAIC is a key platform for showcasing China's advancements in artificial intelligence, drawing industry leaders, researchers, and companies from around the world. This year's edition featured discussions on topics ranging from large language models to autonomous driving, with a focus on real-world applications. Despite the challenging conditions, participants remained enthusiastic, with many noting that the congestion and heat underscored the event's popularity. The conference is scheduled to run for several more days, with sessions expected to cover ethical AI development, industrial automation, and global collaboration.