China launches World AI Cooperation Organization (WAICO) with 29 founding members

Published Jul 20, 05:24 PM UTC

On July 16, 2026, officials from 29 countries signed an agreement establishing the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), a new intergovernmental body headquartered in Shanghai. Proposed by China at the 2025 World AI Conference, WAICO aims to promote international AI cooperation that is beneficial, safe, and fair, with a focus on narrowing the technology gap between rich and poor nations. Founding members include Russia, Pakistan, Indonesia, Brazil, and other Asian, African, and Latin American countries, notably excluding Western nations. Chinese President Xi Jinping announced plans to provide 5,000 training spots for developing countries and establish cooperation centers with ASEAN, the African Union, and BRICS. The article analyzes WAICO as a move by China to shape global AI governance standards and expand its influence as an alternative provider of AI capacity outside Western-led frameworks, potentially solidifying a geopolitical split in AI governance.