Xi announces creation of World Organization for AI Cooperation

The President of China, Xi Jinping (Communist Party of China), announced this Friday (17.Jul.2026) the creation of a definitive global organization for the AI ​​(artificial intelligence) sector, Waico (World Organization for Cooperation in Artificial Intelligence). As anticipated the Poder360the association is China’s main bet to consolidate itself as the main international leader in the governance and development of AIs.

In his speech, Xi declared that the core of the organization is cooperation between countries and that its objective is to make the development of new technologies more inclusive and open. Regarding openness and inclusion, the Chinese leader stated that China wants to prevent the advancement of AI from becoming a monopoly – which is currently what happens, but as a duopoly between China and the United States – and that the country is prepared to act against this current trend.

“China is ready to be more open and take more practical measures”said Xi. “We are ready to work with all parties to seize the opportunities of AI development and address the challenges, joining forces to create a better future for humanity”declared the Chinese leader.

The announcement of the creation of Waico was made on the 1st day of Waic (World Artificial Intelligence Conference), which is held from Friday (Jul 17) to Monday (Jul 20) in Shanghai. Xi’s presence at the event alone sets the tone for how China sees the role that AI will have in the future of humanity. The Chinese president had never participated in the conference, which is in its 9th edition.

In his speech, Xi also presented 4 points that he considers fundamental for the future of AI governance and that must be monitored by Waico. They are:

• adhere to the principle of openness and win-win cooperation, driving innovation-driven development;
• strengthen risk awareness and ensure that AI is safe and controllable;
• encourage inclusion and promote mutual learning between civilizations;
• defend solidarity and improve global governance.

BRAZIL IS A FOUNDING MEMBER

Officially, Waico was launched on Thursday (Jul 16) in a ceremony led by Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi. In it, 30 countries signed the document that created the organization that will be based in Shanghai – a city that China wants to encourage to become the global capital of AI. Among these countries that became the founding members of Waico is Brazil.

The Secretary-General of the UN (United Nations), Antonio Guterres, also participated in the launch event and supported the creation of the organization. Even with Guterres’ presence to provide international support to the new organization, some of the most influential countries on the global stage and most linked to the West chose not to join Waico, including: the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Canada and not even India.

Among Europeans, only Russia, Belarus and Serbia signed the Waico creation agreement.

Here is the list of Waico’s founding members:

• China;
• Brazil;
• Russia;
• Pakistan;
• Algeria;
• South Africa;
• Belarus;
• Cambodia;
• Cameroon;
• Congo;
• Cuba;
• Kazakhstan;
• Ethiopia;
• Indonesia;
• Kenya;
• Kyrgyzstan:
• Laos;
• Lesoto;
• Malaysia;
• Mozambique;
• Myanmar;
• Nicaragua;
• Oman;
• Senegal;
• Serbia;
• Tajikistan;
• Uzbekistan;
• Venezuela;
• Zambia.