China Launches World AI Cooperation Organization in Shanghai

On July 16, 2026, twenty-nine countries, including Russia, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Brazil, signed an agreement in Shanghai to establish the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO). Headquartered in Shanghai, the intergovernmental body aims to promote international cooperation and global governance in artificial intelligence, specifically targeting developing nations to prevent digital dependence and bridge the technological gap.

Xi Jinping, President of China, formally announced the organization during the 2026 World AI Conference. In a keynote address, he described AI development as a "symphony of global collaboration" rather than a "solo performance by a single country." To support the Global South, Xi pledged 5,000 AI training opportunities over five years, the creation of regional AI application centers with blocs like ASEAN and the African Union, and access to the MAZU AI-powered meteorological warning system for 30 countries.

The initiative positions China as a rival to the United States' Pax Silica initiative. While Xi criticized the overextension of national security concepts to restrict technology sharing, the U.S. government under Donald Trump has maintained semiconductor restrictions and recently blocked access to advanced AI models citing security concerns. Meanwhile, Chinese firms like Huawei showcased the Atlas 950 supernode, designed to operate without Nvidia chips, and Moonshot AI released the Kimi K3 open-weight model.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres attended the ceremony, supporting a broad international coalition for AI governance. Other founding members, such as Indonesia and Pakistan, described the move as a strategic milestone in ensuring equitable technological access.