Delegates from 29 nations on Thursday formalized an agreement to establish the World AI Cooperation Organization, a new intergovernmental body that China describes as a platform for international cooperation and global governance in artificial intelligence.
The founding membership named in the agreement includes Russia, Belarus, Serbia, Cuba, Brazil and Venezuela, alongside a group described as 10 African countries and 12 Asian countries. According to the Chinese state news agency Xinhua, the organization will base its headquarters in Shanghai.
The signing ceremony took place in Shanghai on the eve of the annual World Artificial Intelligence Conference. The timing coincides with expectations that Chinese President Xi Jinping will present an ambitious outline of Beijing’s intended role in global AI governance at the conference.
China initially proposed the creation of a World AI Cooperation Organization at last year’s edition of the conference. Until this week, no countries had publicly confirmed formal membership in such a body. The agreement signed by the 29 delegations constitutes the first formal step toward launching the intergovernmental organization.
Details and context
According to the statement accompanying the signing, the group is intended to serve as an intergovernmental forum focused on cooperation and governance related to artificial intelligence. Xinhua’s reporting identified Shanghai as the planned headquarters but provided no additional details about the organization’s governance structure, membership criteria beyond the founding states, or an operational timeline.
The event in Shanghai brought together representatives from a geographically diverse set of countries. The announcement lists particular countries by name and categorizes further participants by region, noting 10 African and 12 Asian members among the founders.
Summary of what happened
On July 16, representatives of 29 countries signed an agreement to establish the World AI Cooperation Organization. Xinhua reported Shanghai will host the organization’s headquarters. The signing occurred in Shanghai just before the World Artificial Intelligence Conference, and China had first proposed the organization at last year’s conference.
Key points
- The agreement formalizes the creation of the World AI Cooperation Organization with 29 founding members.
- Named founding members include Russia, Belarus, Serbia, Cuba, Brazil and Venezuela, plus 10 African and 12 Asian countries.
- The organization’s headquarters will be located in Shanghai, according to Xinhua.
Risks and uncertainties
- It is not specified which countries constitute the 10 African and 12 Asian founding members, leaving some membership details unclear.
- The agreement does not provide information on the organization’s governance framework or operational timetable, creating uncertainty about how and when the body will function.
- While the founding signatories are named, broader international participation beyond these 29 countries remains unconfirmed.