Representatives from 29 countries have signed an agreement in Shanghai to establish the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO), a new international body focused on promoting the responsible and safe development of artificial intelligence technologies.
The agreement was signed during a ceremony attended by representatives of member nations and international organisations, including UN Secretary-General António Guterres. The organisation will be headquartered in Shanghai and is intended to enhance global cooperation on AI governance and development.
The founding members include China, Pakistan, Malaysia, Thailand, Cuba, Belarus, Brazil, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Ethiopia, Indonesia and several others. According to Chinese authorities, WAICO will operate based on the principles of the UN Charter, promoting human interests while supporting the creation of international mechanisms for AI governance.
The organisation aims to strengthen collaboration on AI research, encourage the development of common standards and promote the safe and responsible use of artificial intelligence across sectors. It is also expected to facilitate cooperation between governments, researchers and industry stakeholders as AI adoption accelerates globally.
The agreement marks another step in China’s efforts to play a larger role in shaping international AI governance and comes amid growing global discussions over the regulation, safety and future development of artificial intelligence technologies.
