A group of 29 countries has formally signed an agreement in Shanghai to create the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO). As an independent intergovernmental entity, the organization will maintain its headquarters in Shanghai. Foreign Minister Wang Yi signed the pact representing China, alongside representatives from founding member nations such as Russia, Pakistan, Laos, Kazakhstan, and Indonesia.
During the World AI Conference, President Xi Jinping announced that China intends to provide 5,000 training slots for individuals in developing nations. He also signaled plans to increase technical partnerships with the African Union, the League of Arab States, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Xi characterized the initiative as a move toward global collaboration, stating that AI advancement should function as an international symphony rather than a singular effort.
The organization aims to promote secure and equitable AI development aligned with UN Charter principles, emphasizing human oversight and risk management. While advocating for open dialogue, Xi cautioned against using national security as a justification to hinder the technological progress of other nations—a stance that comes amid ongoing export restrictions between China and the United States. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres attended the signing ceremony to mark the inception of the group.