World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (en.wikipedia.org)

On July 16, 2026, representatives from 29 countries signed an agreement to establish the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) in Shanghai, China. This intergovernmental organization, envisioned by President Xi Jinping, aims to foster global AI collaboration, primarily focusing on development and cooperation among nations in the Global South. The establishment of WAICO underscores the growing demand for a structured international approach to AI governance, as highlighted by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres' participation in the signing ceremony. WAICO's formation is significant for the AI/ML community as it represents an effort to address the concentration of AI power and resources among a few global tech giants, which has implications for equitable access to AI technologies. Analysts have expressed concerns that without proactive measures, WAICO could risk entrenching an "AI divide" whereby countries in the Global South remain consumers rather than innovators in AI. This initiative will need to ensure genuine representation and support for emerging economies to harness AI as a tool for inclusive growth and development, rather than permitting a select few to dominate the narrative and resource allocation in the AI landscape.