Global visitors wowed by culture-tech fusion at ICIF

Video and photos by Lin Jianping

An international delegation composed of nearly 20 international students from the International Communication Club of Shenzhen Universities (Z10 Club) and Shenzhen Global Communication Ambassadors visited the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center Friday.

They immersed themselves in Chinese culture and Shenzhen's tech innovations, experiencing the "tech + culture" feast presented at the 21st China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair (ICIF).

International visitors from the Z10 Club and Shenzhen Global Communication Ambassadors explore exhibits at the 21st ICIF, held at Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center Friday. 

During the day's itinerary, they took AI-generated animated photos at the Shenzhen News Group's booth, played with artificial snow at the Bao'an Pavilion, high-fived an AI robotic dog, and observed the modern jewelry-making techniques showcased at the Chaozhou booth.

Ph.D. student Sloupova Barbora of Shenzhen University admires the AI photo booth at the Shenzhen News Group exhibit.

At the booth of Shenzhen News Group, Sloupova Barbora, a PH.D student at Shenzhen University from the Czech Republic, enjoyed her time at the photo booth, where she took pictures, which in just seconds, were turned into animated images of different outfits, and even hairstyles that traced back to different Chinese eras. 

“It was amazing and mesmerizing,” said Barbora.

Visitors are captivated by the AI-powered photo booth presented by EyeShenzhen and Senyan AI at the Shenzhen News Group booth.

It was the second day for Evgeniia Kozlova, a Russian student, to visit the fair. An e-commerce major at Shenzhen Polytechnic University, she felt that one day was not enough to fully enjoy the exhibition. “There is something I really like here, so many things to visit and many contacts to get for the future,” said Kozlova.

Evgeniia Kozlova of Russia (Front) captures a moment during her visit to the cultural industries fair.

For her, the most interesting part was IT and technology innovations like the AI-generated photos.

“It was very cool style, I love my photo. It was so cute, and everyone was so cool and so cute there,” said Kozlova. "I like this photo, it is in Chinese mainland and Hong Kong style."

Muhammad Shahroz Khalid, a postgraduate student at Shenzhen University, poses with his AI-generated portrait at the fair.

Muhammad Shahroz Khalid, a postgraduate student in civil engineering at Shenzhen University, thought the ICIF was awesome. “When we came, they showed us some technologies, recent technologies and development like walking dogs, which are very popular on social media. We are the generation of social media, and we mostly see on social media like walking dogs and helping robots. So we are very lucky to see real life walking dogs and robots."

The Pakistani student excitedly showed off his AI-generated photos, saying, “I really liked those photos — they were impressive. The Chinese-style designs were stunning!”

Sri Lankan student Mihindi Amasasena (3rd R) and her counterparts explore the SoonAI City Card, a joint project by EyeShenzhen and Jiatui Technology, at the Shenzhen News Group booth.

This is the second time for Mihindi Amasasena, a student from Sri Lanka studying at Shenzhen University, to visit the exhibition.

“I feel this year is more advanced and there are more AI technologies. I visited the 3D Printing Stall and I am impressed with the 3D technologies that could print the complex and the robotics that acted like security guards with AI,” said Amasasena in an interview.

Sava Tomoiaga of Romania (Center in green) joins other group members in interacting with a lion-costumed robot at the fair.

Sava Tomoiaga from Romania, legal representative of Shenzhen Women International Club, really loved the exhibition because it gave her so much information. “So many companies gathered here and we learned a lot of things. It is amazing,” said Tomoiaga.

When Tomoiaga came to Shenzhen in 1998, she lived in Luohu District, and she was happy to see that Luohu is becoming an increasingly important part of the exhibition.

She also visited the exhibition pavilion of Bao’an, where she had worked as a teacher for about 10 years.

“I am very impressed how much changes have taken place in the past decades. At the fair, there are too many things to cover. The most important thing is that we have a chance to meet the companies, and we will know how to find them.”

A UBTECH robot stands beside a digital display promoting the International Communication Center of Shenzhen News Group.

Czech student Barbora was also amazed by the modern technologies at the ICIF, especially a small firefighting robot that can grasp burning materials inside buildings and could save lives in the future.

In the Bao’an Pavilion, there was a small exhibition about the Huafa Snow World, which will open at the end of the year. Barbora joined the other visitors to play with the artificial snow. “It is full of fun,” said Barbora.

Delegation members enjoy a snowfall experience at the Huafa Snow World booth.