Xi Jinping Launches Global AI Body as China Bans AI Companions

President Xi Jinping announced the creation of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization during his keynote speech at the 2026 World AI Conference on July 17. The international body, headquartered in Shanghai, began with 29 founding signatories, including Russia, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Indonesia, to facilitate a a people-centered approach to global AI governance.

Simultaneously, the Government of China implemented restrictive regulations on July 15 targeting anthropomorphic interactive services, commonly known as AI companions. The rules prohibit virtual partners or relatives for minors and mandate that platforms implement age checks and disclose AI identities. The legislation requires companies to monitor for user crises and intervene when users show signs of extreme distress to prevent emotional addiction and social withdrawal.

These measures follow reports of financial and emotional harm, including an 84-year-old woman in Hubei and an 18-year-old who spent thousands of yuan on synthetic partners. Authorities expressed concern that AI intimacy contributes to youth isolation and may further discourage marriage and childbirth.

In response, major technology platforms including ByteDance and Alibaba Group disabled companion features and rolled back customization for their respective services, Doubao and Qwen. The regulations exempt task-based AI functions, such as education and customer service, focusing instead on aligning emotional AI use with social and moral standards.