China announced the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), headquartered in Shanghai, with 29 member countries including Pakistan, Russia, and Indonesia. The announcement was made during the 2026 World AI Conference held from July 17 to 20, coinciding with the launch of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, according to medianama.com.
In his keynote address at the conference, CCP President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of openness, collaboration, and sharing in AI development. He called for the promotion of open-source AI models and encouraged innovation-driven growth across traditional and emerging industries. Xi also highlighted the need for laws, regulations, and technological monitoring to ensure AI security and prevent misuse, advocating for early warning and emergency response systems to maintain human control over AI technologies, medianama.com reported.
The formation of WAICO reflects China’s strategic push to foster multilateral cooperation in AI, aiming to bridge digital divides and promote equitable benefits from AI advancements globally. The organization’s membership spans key countries in Asia and beyond, positioning it as a significant player in the global AI governance landscape. This move aligns with China’s broader ambitions to lead in AI innovation and set international standards, as seen in previous global technology initiatives.
The 2026 World AI Conference, which has been held annually since 2018, served as the platform for this announcement. The next major milestone for WAICO will be the formalization of its governance framework and operational plans, expected to be detailed in upcoming meetings scheduled later this year, medianama.com noted.