The 2026 World AI Conference (WAIC) and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance was held in Shanghai on July 17-20. The conference is now in its ninth year and Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech at the event for the first time. The World AI Cooperation Organization (WAICO), a multilateral cooperation institution initiated by China, was officially established prior to the opening of the conference, with 29 countries from Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe signing the establishment agreement and becoming the organization's founding members.

China's hosting of the WAIC 2026 holds great importance. This year is the 70th anniversary of the concept of AI. Standing at this milestone, the world needs a high-level multilateral conference to comprehensively review the development of AI. The global AI landscape is currently characterized by explosive commercial use, with the pace of technology application far exceeding that of regulation and legislation, making global AI governance a key issue. In the meantime, the Global North-South digital divide continues to widen. Developed countries monopolize computing power and algorithm resources, while most developing countries are marginalized, making multilateral dialogue on global AI governance an urgent need for the international community.

By convening the WAIC and establishing the WAICO, China aims to better enable other developing countries and emerging economies to share the opportunities of AI development and bridge the global digital divide. The event and the organization also offer an inclusive and cooperative multilateral mechanism for global AI governance.

In his speech at the opening ceremony, Xi said countries should ensure that AI is an important driver for shared prosperity and common security and join hands to build a just and equitable system for global AI governance. Xi announced that over the next five years, China will provide developing countries with 5,000 opportunities in AI training and seminar programs. It will also enable 30 countries to use the AI-powered meteorological warning system MAZU, developed by the China Meteorological Administration, which will help safeguard homes around the world.

With these commitments, China will not only make it possible for the benefits of AI to reach more countries in the Global South, but also enable AI to break free from non-productive competition and truly become a public good that empowers global development and benefits all humanity.