Representatives from 29 countries have signed an agreement to establish the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), marking a new step towards strengthening international collaboration on artificial intelligence development and governance.

The signing ceremony took place in Shanghai on July 16. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi signed the agreement on behalf of the Chinese government. Shanghai will serve as the headquarters of the new organisation.

WAICO will operate as an independent intergovernmental organisation guided by the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter. It will uphold the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, while following a people-centred approach to AI development.

The organisation aims to promote international cooperation and global governance in artificial intelligence, while supporting the sound and orderly development of AI in a manner that is beneficial, safe and equitable.

The agreement establishing WAICO comes as governments worldwide seek to develop common approaches to AI governance amid rapid advances in generative AI, autonomous systems and other emerging technologies. The organisation is expected to provide a platform for countries to cooperate on AI development and governance and to work towards ensuring that the benefits of artificial intelligence are shared more broadly.

The initiative also reflects growing efforts to establish international mechanisms for addressing the opportunities and challenges associated with AI, including safety, governance, responsible innovation and equitable access to AI technologies.