【Hangzhou】Attending the Alibaba Cloud Apsara Conference

Recently, Our participated in the large-scale event “Apsara Conference 2023” hosted by Alibaba Cloud in Hangzhou, China, as part of the “Special Japan Team Tour.” The event spanned two days, and I would like to share my experience.

About Alibaba Cloud Apsara Conference

The Apsara Conference is a technology conference hosted by Alibaba Cloud, focusing on cloud computing, artificial intelligence, data analytics, IoT, and other cutting-edge technologies.

Recognized as one of the most significant events in the cloud industry, it has made substantial contributions to the proliferation and development of cloud technologies.

The conference attracts tens of thousands of participants from around the world, including industry leaders, technical experts, and decision-makers.

Hundreds of sessions are held, covering the latest technological trends and innovations, providing opportunities for learning and networking.

The program is primarily divided into three sections:

Day 1: Apsara Conference

① Event Venue

On the first day, we headed to the event venue for the Apsara Conference.

The roads around the venue were closed off, transforming the area into a pedestrian-only zone. Interestingly, this area is a city developed by the Alibaba Group, and there’s even a street named “Alibaba Road.”

Outside the venue, there were billboards displaying the logos of companies and sponsors supporting the Apsara Conference.

Although not all are shown in the photos, the number of logos is impressive.

② Technical Sessions

We attended several technical sessions.

One notable presentation was by a Chinese subsidiary of a major Japanese cosmetics company. Initially, their operations in China were primarily focused on supporting the Japanese headquarters.

However, over time, their business in China has become self-sustaining and successful.

③ Exhibition

We visited the exhibition area where various Alibaba Cloud services and products were showcased.

This exhibition served as a marketplace for Chinese IT vendors utilizing Alibaba Cloud solutions.

The exhibition hall was so crowded that it was challenging to move forward due to the large number of attendees.

One of the prominent booths was that of Ant Group, known for Alipay. Their booth was notably large.

There was also an AI-powered photo booth, reminiscent of a modern-day purikura (photo sticker booth).

Additionally, an autonomous vehicle integrated with Alibaba Cloud’s AI was on display, offering an experiential area for attendees.

Samples of server machines used by Alibaba Cloud were also exhibited.

These servers are developed in-house and feature proprietary chips.

Day 2: Special Japan Team Tour

On the second day, we visited the campus operated by Alibaba Cloud and the Alibaba Group, accompanied by representatives from Japanese companies operating in China.

The campus is vast, covering an extensive area.

During our visit, preparations were underway for China’s largest e-commerce event, “Singles’ Day” (Double 11), with Alibaba staff actively setting up within the campus grounds.

We had the opportunity to learn about the businesses, technologies, and history of Alibaba Cloud and the Alibaba Group.

* Please note that photography was prohibited in certain areas beyond this point.

We also attended a session summarizing the latest technological updates announced at Apsara Conference.

Summary

The area in Hangzhou we visited is a city developed by the Alibaba Group, featuring apartments, hotels, university campuses, and roads, allowing us to experience Alibaba’s influence in the region.

Particularly in the exhibition, many AI and serverless solutions were prominently featured.

Participating in the Apsara Conference provided valuable insights into the future of the IT industry and potential business ideas.

Bonus: Streets of Hangzhou

〇 Accommodation:
Crowne Plaza Hangzhou Science City

〇 Night Views