Xi Jinping Launches Global AI Governance Organization Amid US-China Tech Rivalry

Chinese President Xi Jinping has launched the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) to set global AI standards and governance norms, positioning Beijing against US tech dominance.

The WAICO was announced at the 2026 World AI Conference in Shanghai, where Xi outlined four principles for international AI development: openness, risk awareness, inclusiveness, and multilateral governance through platforms like the UN.

Xi also pledged to provide 5,000 training opportunities for developing countries, with a focus on regional blocs including ASEAN and BRICS.

China's approach is framed as an inclusive alternative to the US emphasis on export controls and national security restrictions, particularly around advanced chips and frontier AI models. Xi emphasized that AI must remain under human control, resonating with European regulators and developing nations alike.

The WAICO framework could create regulatory environments that favor centralized digital infrastructure over decentralized alternatives, potentially impacting the development of permissionless blockchains or decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs).