China Launches WAICO: A New Global AI Alliance Explained
Twenty-nine countries just signed onto a new global AI body — and not one of them is a major Western democracy. On July 17, 2026, Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the opening of the 2026 World AI Conference in Shanghai — his first time speaking there in person since the event began in 2018. A day earlier, those 29 nations had formally established the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) , a new intergovernmental body headquartered in Shanghai. Members include Russia, Brazil, Pakistan, Indonesia, Cuba, and Venezuela, among others. This isn't just another tech conference announcement. It's a direct move to shape who writes the rules for AI globally — and the timing, message, and guest list all matter here. Let's unpack it.