Xi Jinping Calls for Global AI Alliance, Unveils 5,000-Project Initiative

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday called for greater international cooperation in shaping the future of artificial intelligence (AI) , urging countries to ensure the transformative technology benefits all of humanity rather than becoming the preserve of a few nations. Addressing the opening of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai , Xi said AI should not be a " solo performance " by one country but a " symphony of global collaboration " guided by human wisdom, international consensus and shared responsibility .

Emphasising that AI is advancing at an unprecedented pace, Xi said the technology must remain under human oversight and be developed responsibly to address challenges such as privacy, security, misinformation and ethical concerns. He also cautioned against widening the global AI divide, arguing that developing nations should have equal opportunities to access AI technologies and participate in global governance.

To support this vision, China announced a five-year AI cooperation initiative that will provide 5,000 AI research projects , training programmes, seminars and AI cooperation centres for developing countries. The initiative covers members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) , Arab League , Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) , African Union (AU) , Latin America and BRICS , with the aim of strengthening AI research, talent development and technology sharing.

In a major outcome of the conference, representatives from 29 countries signed an agreement establishing the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO) , an independent intergovernmental body headquartered in Shanghai . Founding members include China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Laos and Indonesia , while UN Secretary-General António Guterres attended the signing ceremony. According to the agreement, WAICO will uphold the principles of the UN Charter , promote international consultation, responsible AI development and a people-centred approach to global AI governance.

Xi's remarks come as China accelerates its ambition to become a global AI leader through heavy investments in research, computing infrastructure, semiconductors and talent. The country has also emerged as a leading force in electric vehicles (EVs) and battery technology , supported by a vast domestic market, strong manufacturing capabilities and government backing. Chinese firms including Huawei, Alibaba, Tencent, Baidu, DeepSeek and Moonshot AI showcased next-generation AI systems at WAIC 2026, underscoring China's growing technological capabilities despite U.S. export restrictions on advanced AI chips.

Analysts say Beijing's latest initiatives reflect a broader effort to position itself as a leader in global AI governance , expand cooperation with the Global South , and influence international AI standards at a time when competition with the United States over emerging technologies is intensifying.