Results of four-day global AI conference in Shanghai cause anxiety for Americans
Written by Satyaki Chakraborty
The four-day World Conference on Artificial Intelligence, which concluded in Shanghai on July 20, established China’s dominance not only in AI applications but also in AI governance, as many countries responded to the Chinese model of open source AI applications, thereby expanding the scope of China’s broader cooperation with non-Western countries.
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s inaugural address at the 2026 World AI Conference (WAIC) directly confirms the principles of the Global AI Governance Initiative, moving it from the theoretical realm to concrete institutional steps. In his keynote speech at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, President Xi set out a clear vision centered on people-centered development and shared security, and announced the launch of a new mechanism to directly support developing countries through a number of initiatives.
Most importantly, President Xi announced the establishment of the World Organization for Artificial Intelligence Cooperation (WAICO), headquartered in Shanghai, after 29 founding countries, including Brazil, Russia, Pakistan, Indonesia, 10 African countries and 12 Asian countries signed an agreement to ensure fair and impartial governance. Additionally, China has committed to providing 5,000 AI training opportunities and seminar programs to developing countries over the next five years.
The second important announcement was the establishment of a joint regional cooperation center to be established in cooperation with the Arab League, African Union, ASEAN and BRICS. This means that it covers most of the Asian and African countries within this range. Additionally, China’s AI-powered warning system will be available to 30 developing countries to protect their communities from climate change.
Chinese experts explain that the Chinese model is more suitable for developing countries than the Western model because the use of technology does not require the adoption of specific political and cultural values, thus preserving the cultural and civilizational diversity of the Global South Apartment, China’s A-plus project, which focuses on integrating technology into traditional industries, agriculture and medicine. By making open source code available, transferring expertise, and training thousands of local experts, the China model is enabling countries in the Global South to become independent and reduce their dependence on Western monopolies, always in pursuit of profit.
According to AI experts, President Xi put forward four important proposals. First, we need to adhere to the principles of openness and win-win, and promote innovation-driven development. Second, we need to strengthen risk awareness and ensure that AI is safe and controllable. Third, we need to promote inclusivity and encourage mutual learning between civilizations. Fourth, we need to advocate for solidarity and improve global governance.
Following the 2023 proposal for the Global AI Governance Initiative, President Xi once again comprehensively and systematically expressed China’s position and proposals on global AI governance. Focusing on four dimensions: development, security, civilization, and governance, he addressed key issues in the current landscape of global AI development and governance, providing new insights and solutions to advance global governance and bridge the AI and digital divide.
The historic AI conference ended with a promising future of further expansion of AI in the developing world. China will undoubtedly seek to derive political benefits from this massive AI push. President Trump will not be able to sit by and watch his rival, the 11th president, use AI to outdo him. Mr. Trump will also need to work on other strategies. But America’s problem is that American industry is driven by profit. Therefore, it will be difficult for American companies to compete with China, whose AI industry is largely state-controlled. But Trump still has to draw up a counterstrategy. What will that look like? That’s the million dollar question. (IPA service)
