World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization
Context:
Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the annual World AI Conference in Shanghai unveiled the World AI Cooperation Organization, a new international body aimed at shaping global standards for AI.
About the Initiative:
It is the institutional sequel to China's Global AI Governance Initiative (announced in 2023)
The initiative is part of a series of Beijing-authored frameworks designed to position China as a rule-maker rather than a rule-taker
The proposed headquarters for the organization is Shanghai
Proposed Features and Goals:
A significant goal of WAICO is to bridge the “digital and intelligent divide” by helping developing countries build AI capacity.
WAICO's Action Plan includes a technology-sharing platform.
It proposes an algorithmic compensation fund financed by a modest royalty on global commercial AI revenues
China presents WAICO as a support mechanism that complements and operationalizes the UN's aims for AI governance.