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China has spearheaded the formation of a 29-country artificial intelligence (AI) alliance, positioning itself to challenge US dominance in the rapidly evolving technology sector.
The initiative was unveiled during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, where Chinese President Xi Jinping urged allied nations to deepen cooperation in AI and resist the concentration of technological power in any single country. His remarks, widely seen as a veiled critique of the United States, highlighted Beijing’s push for a more multipolar global AI order.
The newly formed alliance, named the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), was officially launched on July 16. It aims to promote collaborative development, establish global standards, and ensure AI technologies remain safe, inclusive, and beneficial for humanity.
Xi emphasized that AI should not become a tool of geopolitical rivalry or national security competition. “AI development is not the privilege of any one country—it should be a shared global endeavor,” he said, calling for resistance against expanding national security doctrines that prioritize one nation’s interests over others.
He also stressed the importance of open-source AI as a “historic opportunity,” particularly for developing nations. China, he noted, is committed to supporting countries across Africa, Latin America, and Asia in building AI capabilities and bridging technological gaps.
The alliance reflects China’s broader ambition to take a leadership role in shaping global AI governance, potentially influencing future frameworks, including those under discussion at the United Nations.
AI has become a cornerstone of China’s industrial policy, with heavy investments spanning semiconductor production, data infrastructure, and consumer applications. While China still trails the US in cutting-edge chip manufacturing, it holds advantages in large-scale data center deployment, access to critical rare earth minerals, and abundant low-cost electricity—key factors in AI development.
Meanwhile, ongoing US restrictions on technology exports to China—citing national security concerns—have intensified what analysts describe as a growing “chip war” between the two powers. Beijing views these measures as attempts to hinder its technological rise.
The WAICO alliance brings together a diverse group of countries, including Brazil, Russia, Pakistan, Indonesia, South Africa, and several nations across Africa, Asia, and Latin America—signaling a coordinated effort to reshape the global AI landscape beyond Western influence.
