The World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO) is a newly established China-led intergovernmental organization headquartered in Shanghai. It was formally launched during the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) with 29 founding member countries, primarily from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and other developing regions. The organization aims to create a global platform for AI cooperation, governance, and capacity building, with a strong emphasis on supporting the Global South.
WAICO seeks to promote inclusive AI development, international collaboration, and common governance standards while reducing the global AI capability gap. China has announced initiatives including 5,000 AI training opportunities, joint AI cooperation centers with organizations such as ASEAN, the African Union, BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), the League of Arab States, and CELAC, as well as support for open-source AI models and technology sharing. The organization also advocates digital sovereignty, multilateral cooperation, and broader access to AI technologies for developing countries.
A defining feature of WAICO is its presentation as an alternative model of global AI governance. While many Western-led AI initiatives focus heavily on AI safety, frontier-model regulation, and human rights, WAICO places greater emphasis on development, capacity building, technology accessibility, and international cooperation. It encourages the adoption of open AI models and seeks to establish governance principles that reflect the priorities of emerging economies rather than those of advanced industrial nations alone. Analysts view it as an effort by China to expand its influence over future global AI standards and institutions.
The significance of WAICO extends beyond technology. It represents China's broader ambition to shape the future architecture of global AI governance by building partnerships with developing countries and offering an alternative AI ecosystem alongside Western platforms. As AI becomes increasingly important for economic growth, national security, and digital transformation, WAICO is expected to play a growing role in international discussions on AI policy, technical standards, knowledge sharing, and governance. Whether it becomes a widely adopted global institution will depend on its ability to attract additional members, implement meaningful cooperation programs, and work alongside existing international organizations such as the United Nations.
