Xi Jinping Calls for Global AI Collaboration at World Artificial Intelligence Conference 2026

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday said the development of AI should not be a “solo performance” by one country, but a “symphony of global collaboration”.

Xi made these remarks while addressing the opening of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), China’s largest annual AI industry event, in Shanghai.

“With AI advancing at a staggering speed, we must ensure its development is positive, for the good and for humanity,” he said. “We human beings must answer the questions posed by our times: How to get along with thinking machines? How to ensure security when an algorithm is part of decision-making? How to tackle ethical challenges by technologies through adaptive governance? How to realise AI for all when the divide keeps widening? These questions demand serious consideration and real answers from the whole international community,” he said.

China wants all countries to take a people-centric approach and develop AI.

“We should ensure that AI is an important driver for shared prosperity and common security. We should join hands to build a just and equitable system for global AI governance,” he said.

To further support AI development in the next five years, he said China will provide developing countries, including members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Arab League, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, the African Union, Latin America, and the BRICS member countries with 5,000 research projects in AI, as well as training.

Earlier, 29 countries signed an agreement in Shanghai to establish the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO).