Twenty-nine countries have signed an agreement establishing the World AI Cooperation Organisation.
The new intergovernmental body is designed to strengthen international collaboration and global governance of artificial intelligence as competition over the technology intensifies.
The agreement was signed in Shanghai during the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference, with China leading the initiative.
Founding members include Russia, Brazil, Belarus, Serbia, Cuba and Venezuela, alongside 10 African countries and 12 Asian countries. The new organisation aims to promote cooperation on AI development, regulation, standards and cross-border innovation.
Chinese officials said the organisation will provide a platform for countries to coordinate policies on artificial intelligence, encourage technology sharing and support the responsible development of AI. It will also seek to establish common governance frameworks as governments grapple with the rapid advancement of increasingly powerful AI systems.
The launch comes amid growing global competition over artificial intelligence, with countries increasingly seeking to shape the rules governing the technology. China has positioned itself as an advocate of open international cooperation, arguing that AI should remain widely accessible and that developing countries should have greater opportunities to participate in the technology’s growth.
Chinese President Xi Jinping said the world must work together to ensure AI develops in a safe, inclusive and equitable manner. He also criticised restrictions on technology transfers, an apparent reference to US export controls on advanced semiconductors and artificial intelligence technologies destined for China.
The World AI Cooperation Organization is expected to focus on developing international standards, encouraging research collaboration, supporting AI capacity building and helping member countries strengthen regulatory frameworks. Officials said the body will also promote the adoption of AI technologies in areas such as healthcare, education, manufacturing and public services.
The initiative is coming at a time when rival international frameworks continue to take shape. The United States and several allies have advanced separate partnerships focused on securing AI supply chains and protecting access to advanced computing technologies, highlighting increasingly divergent approaches to AI governance among major powers.
For developing countries, the new organisation could provide greater access to AI expertise, technical assistance and international cooperation as governments seek to harness artificial intelligence to drive economic growth and improve public services. The agreement also underscores China’s growing ambition to play a leading role in shaping the future of global AI governance at a time when the technology is becoming central to economic competitiveness and geopolitical influence.
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Emmanuel Abara Benson is a business journalist and editor covering artificial intelligence, global markets, and emerging technology.
He has previously worked with Business Insider Africa and Nairametrics, reporting on finance, startups, and innovation.
His work focuses on AI, digital economy, and global tech trends.
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