The Shanghai-based group will coordinate national AI strategies, governance rules and technical standards while working alongside United Nations-led efforts.
Representatives from 29 countries signed an agreement creating the world’s first intergovernmental AI organization. The group gives participating governments a formal place to coordinate AI rules, technical standards and national development strategies.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the agreement establishing the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) was signed July 16 in Shanghai. Foreign Minister Wang Yi signed on behalf of China, which will host the organization’s headquarters.
What the intergovernmental AI organization will do
Unlike an industry group or research partnership, WAICO’s members are national governments. China says the organization will give them a place to align three concrete areas: how they develop AI, how they govern it, and the technical standards they apply.
That work covers the policy and technical requirements that shape how AI systems are built and used across participating countries. The Foreign Ministry briefing specifically identified AI development strategies, governance rules and technical standards as areas for coordination.
The conference statement that announced WAICO added more detail. It called for faster development and revision of AI security, industry, and ethical standards. It also supported greater recognition of standards between countries, which would reduce the cost and difficulty of international AI cooperation.
How WAICO fits with United Nations AI work
WAICO will operate as an independent organization, but its founding principles follow the United Nations Charter. The conference statement says the UN should retain a central role in global AI governance, including through its Global Dialogue on AI Governance and international scientific panel.
The new organization will remain open to all countries and maintain contact with other international organizations to identify areas for collaboration.
WAICO will also support countries in the Global South as they expand their ability to develop, use and govern AI. The stated goal is to narrow the divide between countries with advanced AI resources and those trying to build that capacity.
Aside from China, Russia, Brazil, Pakistan, and Indonesia are among the 29 founding members. China said it will work with the other founding governments to get the organization up and running.
