Xi urges global AI collaboration as Shanghai launches new world body

Beijing,UPDATED: Jul 17, 2026 10:56 IST

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday said the development of artificial intelligence should not be a "solo performance" by one country, but a "symphony of global collaboration". Speaking at the opening of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, he said AI was advancing at a staggering speed and its growth must be guided in a way that is positive and beneficial for humanity.

Xi also announced support measures for developing countries, while 29 countries signed an agreement in Shanghai to set up the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation, or WAICO, as an independent intergovernmental international organisation headquartered in the city. The moves came as China continues to push AI as a national strategic priority alongside advances in electric vehicles and battery technology.

Addressing the opening of China’s biggest annual AI industry event, Xi said, "With AI advancing at a staggering speed, we must ensure its development is positive, for the good and for humanity." He said AI must be guided with human wisdom and international consensus.

To support AI development over the next five years, Xi said China would provide developing countries, including members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Arab League, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, the African Union, Latin American countries and BRICS member countries, with 5,000 research projects in AI. It will also offer training, seminar programmes and "cooperation centres", the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported.

Earlier, representatives of 29 countries, including China, Kazakhstan, Laos, Pakistan, Russia and Indonesia, signed the agreement to establish WAICO, making them the organisation’s founding members, according to state-run Xinhua news agency. The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was also among representatives from countries and international organisations present at the signing ceremony. According to the agreement, the organisation will uphold the purposes of the UN Charter, commit itself to extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, and follow a people-centred approach.

In recent years, China has made major advances in frontier technologies such as AI, electric vehicles and battery technology, helped by strong state support, a large domestic market, manufacturing strength and a big pool of engineers. In AI, China has made the sector a national strategic priority and is aiming to become the world’s leading AI innovation centre through heavy investment in research, computing infrastructure, semiconductor development and talent cultivation. China has also become the world’s largest producer and exporter of electric vehicles as the sector has expanded sharply over the past decade. Analysts say the country’s progress in AI, electric vehicles and battery technology is part of its push to move beyond being a manufacturing hub and become a major technological innovator, even as it faces competition from the US, the EU, South Korea and Japan, along with American export controls on advanced AI chips.

Overall, Xi used the Shanghai conference to call for international cooperation in AI, announce support for developing countries, and underline China’s wider technology ambitions as a new global AI body took shape in the city.

With PTI Inputs

- Ends