By The South Asia Times

SHANGHAI -  Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday announced the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), positioning the new body as a platform to promote international cooperation on artificial intelligence and narrow the global digital divide amid intensifying global competition over advanced technologies.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) and the High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai, Xi said the rapid advancement of AI presents humanity with unprecedented opportunities while also creating complex governance, security and ethical challenges that require a coordinated international response.

"The world has entered an unprecedentedly vigorous period of innovation in artificial intelligence technologies," Xi said, adding that countries must work together to ensure AI develops in a way that is beneficial, safe and accessible to all. He called for stronger global cooperation to bridge the widening AI and digital divides, particularly for developing countries.

Xi also announced a package of Chinese initiatives aimed at supporting developing nations, including 5,000 AI training and seminar opportunities over the next five years, the establishment of international AI cooperation centers with regional organizations such as ASEAN, the African Union, BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the League of Arab States, and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, as well as expanding access to China's AI-powered meteorological early warning system to 30 countries.

The announcement follows the signing of the Agreement on the Establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization by representatives of 29 countries, making them founding members of the new intergovernmental organization, which will be headquartered in Shanghai. The organization aims to promote international cooperation and global governance in AI while ensuring the technology develops in a beneficial, safe and fair manner.

Pakistan was among the founding members, with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar signing the agreement on behalf of Islamabad during his visit to Shanghai. Other founding members include countries such as Russia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan and Laos.

In his address, Xi urged countries to uphold openness and international collaboration in AI research and development, warning against creating technological barriers or allowing AI development to deepen global inequality. He also stressed that artificial intelligence should remain under human control and that countries should strengthen cooperation on governance standards through the United Nations.

The launch of WAICO comes as China seeks to play a larger role in shaping global AI governance at a time of growing strategic competition with the United States over advanced technologies. Beijing has promoted open-source AI development and broader technology sharing with developing countries, while Washington has tightened export controls on advanced semiconductors and AI technologies destined for China on national security grounds.