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Twenty-nine countries recently signed an agreement in Shanghai, China, to establish the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), a new intergovernmental body aimed at strengthening global cooperation and governance in Artificial Intelligence (AI).

About WAICO

• The World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) is an independent intergovernmental international organisation headquartered in Shanghai, China.
• It was first proposed by China in July 2025 to create a multilateral platform for cooperation on AI governance, innovation and capacity building.
• The organisation seeks to promote international cooperation, facilitate global AI governance, and encourage the responsible development and application of Artificial Intelligence.
• WAICO is guided by the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and follows the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, while adopting a people-centric approach to AI development.

Founding Members

• The organisation has 29 founding members, including:China, Russia, Pakistan, South Africa, Brazil, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Oman, Cuba, Venezuela, Belarus, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Algeria, Cameroon, Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Senegal, Zambia, and Nicaragua.
• Notably, India has not joined WAICO, making it the only founding BRICS member absent from the organisation.

Objectives

WAICO aims to:

• Promote international cooperation in Artificial Intelligence.
• Develop a framework for global AI governance.
• Encourage responsible, inclusive and people-centric AI development.
• Strengthen collaboration among member countries in AI research, innovation and capacity building.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and international partnerships in emerging AI technologies.