World AI Cooperation Organization:
At the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) held in Shanghai, China announced the operational launch of the World AI Cooperation Organization (WAICO).The establishment of WAICO, signed by 29 countries, marks China’s most significant attempt to influence global Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance by creating an alternative institutional framework focused on inclusive AI development, Global South participation, and state-led governance.WAICO is an independent intergovernmental organization headquartered in Shanghai, China, established to promote global cooperation and governance in AI.First proposed at the 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), Shanghai and subsequently incorporated into China’s Five-Year Plan (2026–2030).It was formally established through an agreement signed by 29 countries. The signatories include countries from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East, such as China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Laos, Brazil, and South Africa.Objective is to ensure that the development and benefits of AI are accessible to all countries, particularly developing nations, through “extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefit.”WAICO seeks to provide developing countries with greater access to AI technologies, infrastructure, capacity building, and cooperation, enabling them to participate in the AI ecosystem even if they lack indigenous AI capabilities.As part of this initiative, China has committed to providing 5,000 AI training opportunities and research projects over the next five years to developing nations across ASEAN, the African Union, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and BRICS.
