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China launches WAICO AI alliance at Shanghai conference, Xi Jinping positions China as global AI governance leader

At the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the formation of WAICO, a 29-nation alliance aimed at open-source AI cooperation and reshaping global AI governance under Chinese leadership.

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The 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance convened in Shanghai this week, drawing leaders from across the globe to discuss the future of artificial intelligence development. Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech outlining Beijing’s vision for an international framework centered on open collaboration, marking a significant diplomatic push to position China as a steward of global AI standards.

During his address, Xi announced the creation of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), described as the world’s first intergovernmental organization devoted specifically to artificial intelligence, with its headquarters established in Shanghai. The alliance brings together 29 nations committed to advancing open-source AI technologies and fostering equitable access to innovation, particularly for developing countries lacking the resources to compete independently.

Xi positioned China as a leading advocate for open-source AI models, pledging support for initiatives that democratize access to advanced systems. Establishing WAICO represents an alternative to US-led AI governance efforts, aiming to counter Western dominance in setting technological norms by offering open-source solutions as public goods rather than proprietary tools controlled by a single nation.

The alliance’s formation also reflects broader geopolitical ambitions, with analysts noting that WAICO functions as a strategic institutional capture operation aimed at the UN’s AI governance track. By promoting open collaboration and sidelining traditional Western-led frameworks, China seeks to reshape international discourse around AI ethics, safety, and regulation in its own image.

Xi explicitly warned against any single country dominating AI development, framing the alliance as a bulwark against monopolistic control of transformative technology. The call for global cooperation on open-source AI underscores China’s intent to balance its technological ambitions with diplomatic outreach, leveraging innovation as both a tool of influence and a means of building alternative power structures on the global stage.

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