From July 7 to 11, 2025, ShanghAI invites a select group of leaders on a curated journey through Shanghai’s thriving innovation landscape—a place where startups, tech giants, researchers, and investors are collectively shaping the global AI race.
Led by TRAJECTRY and Challenges , the program offers a rare opportunity to engage directly with China’s AI revolution—through immersive experiences, strategic visits, expert-led workshops, and high-impact networking.
Your guides throughout the journey:
Patrice Nordey — a pioneer in digital transformation with nearly two decades of experience in Shanghai’s tech and innovation scene. Having led BNP Paribas’s innovation lab in China and founded the digital agency VELVET (later acquired by Fabernovel), Patrice now heads TRAJECTRY, where he helps European leaders connect with Asia’s most dynamic innovation ecosystems.
Gilles Fontaine is the Editor-in-Chief and Director of Innovation at Challenges magazine, with over 30 years of experience in business journalism. A former senior reporter for Capital and L’Expansion, Gilles has long tracked the evolution of global tech — from the rise of Silicon Valley giants to China’s digital revolution. He is the author of several books, including It’s Noon in Beijing and In Cyberspace, No One Can Hear You Scream, and brings deep expertise in high-tech and media transformations.
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As a national hub for AI development, Shanghai has built a comprehensive artificial intelligence ecosystem — spanning everything from fundamental research and application development to chip manufacturing and real-world deployment.
In sectors such as finance, retail, healthcare, and transportation, AI is rapidly reshaping operations and user experiences at scale.
Key advantages driving this transformation include:
Strong national policy support: Dedicated AI development funds have been established in Shanghai to promote breakthroughs in foundational technologies such as algorithms, models, and chips.
Robust infrastructure for data and computing power: With widespread 5G coverage, advanced data centers, and supercomputing resources, the city is accelerating the development of large models and real-time applications.
Experimental urban governance: AI is actively piloted across city management functions, from traffic control and public services to medical diagnostics.
ShanghAI is carefully curated to deliver depth, context, and connection. Participants won’t just observe innovation—they’ll live it. Here's what to expect:
Visits to Innovation Powerhouses: Tour Zhangjiang AI Island and West Bund AI Valley, where tech giants like Baidu, Tencent, and Huawei sit alongside agile unicorns and incubators.
Hands-On Experiences: Interact with humanoid robots at the Zhangjiang Robot Training Center and explore AI applications across industries in China’s first 5G+AI showroom.
Exclusive Access: Participate in closed-door meetings with top AI startups, academic institutions, incubators, and government stakeholders.
Networking & Forums: Join the French Business Community AI Forum, and connect with peers during curated lunches, dinners, and informal gatherings.
Learning & Strategy: Benefit from policy insights, market trend analysis, and facilitated reflections to inform your own AI roadmap.
As part of our LX Shanghai journey, we’ll have the opportunity to meet some of the most forward-thinking minds working at the intersection of AI, business, and creativity. Here’s a glimpse of the visionary leaders we’ll meet along the way:
Fan Ling｜Founder and CEO, Tezign 特赞
Dr. Fan Ling is the founder of TeZign, a leading GenAI company that combines technology and design to empower over 200 brands through its AI-driven platform. He also serves as a professor and founding director of the Design AI Lab at Tongji University, where his work bridges academic research with business innovation.
Jackie Luan｜Co-founder and CEO, Chikka.ai
With a PhD in Marketing from Yale and degrees in English and Economics from Peking University, Jackie Luan leads Chikka—a company building AI agents to help businesses better understand users and accelerate innovation. Her insights lie at the intersection of enterprise AI and user-centric design.
Steven Zhang｜Co-founder, Kivisense | AI, XR, AR, 3D MarTech
Steven is the co-founder of Kivisense, a company specializing in AI-powered AR solutions. Their proprietary technology enables real-time body tracking and supports the creation of WebAR scenes through Kivicube, a no-code platform that makes immersive experiences accessible to everyone.
Josh Hu｜Director, Europe Enterprise Business, Tencent Cloud International
keep from orginal: Representing one of China's leading AI players, Josh will share Tencent's latest progress across foundational research, applied AI, and scalable implementation. Tencent’s recent consumer app, Yuanbao, topped China’s App Store free download chart on March 3, 2025, showing the rising demand for AI-powered everyday tools.
Tianyi Cai｜Founder, Versa.ai
Tianyi Cai founded Versa.ai to reimagine content creation through AI. The company is behind two highly popular apps—Macaron Play and Bugu Editor—used by a new generation of creators. Backed by leading investors like Sequoia China, ZhenFund, Tencent, and Bilibili, Versa.ai is at the forefront of China's AIGC (AI-Generated Content) movement.
Each participant will receive a Roadbook (including agenda, speaker bios, notes pages) and Pre-Reading Materials to help them prepare and maximize the learning experience.
Seats are limited, and early registration is strongly encouraged. A deposit is required to secure your spot, and the final program will be shared a few weeks before departure.
Dates: July 7–11, 2025
Location: Shanghai, China
Organizers: TRAJECTRY and Challenges Magazine
Language: English (primary language of the expedition)
Visa Note: French citizens can travel visa-free to China until December 31, 2025, for up to 30 days
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