Xi Urges Global Collaboration on AI Amidst U.s.-china Tensions

WHO:

Al Jazeera - United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres attended the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai.

ABC News - Chinese President Xi Jinping, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, leaders of Kazakhstan, Cambodia, and Thailand.

CNN - President Trump, Chinese firms like DeepSeek and Zhipu, George Chen, nine Nobel laureates, Turing computing prize awardees.

WHAT:

ABC News - Xi announced that over the next five years, China will provide 5,000 training opportunities on artificial intelligence to developing countries.

ABC News - China will expand AI cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the League of Arab States, the African Union, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the BRICS countries.

ABC News - A day earlier, 29 countries including Pakistan, Russia, and Kazakhstan signed an agreement with China to establish a World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization.

ABC News - More than 1,100 companies and 1,400 guests are participating in the annual AI conference this year.

ABC News - During the conference, tech giant Huawei showcased its powerful AI computing system, the Atlas 950 SuperPoD.

ABC News - Xi Jinping stated that "the development of artificial intelligence should not be a solo performance by any single country but rather a symphony of global cooperation."

ABC News - Xi announced that China will provide access for 30 countries to a Chinese-developed AI meteorological system that provides early warning systems.

ABC News - The World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) is described as an intergovernmental organization headquartered in Shanghai promoting global AI governance.

ABC News - More than 1,100 companies and 1,400 guests are participating in the annual AI conference this year.

Al Jazeera - Xi Jinping called for a "people-centred" approach to AI that ensures "AI is always under human control" using safeguards such as regulations, technological monitoring, early warning, and emergency response systems.

Al Jazeera - The World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) was formally established on July 16, with 29 founding member countries including major Global South nations such as Indonesia, Brazil, Malaysia, South Africa, Senegal, Russia, and Pakistan.

ABC News - During the conference, tech giant Huawei showcased its powerful AI computing system, the Atlas 950 SuperPoD.

ABC News - China's five-year plan until 2030 has prioritized progress in frontiers of science and technology, including AI.

CNN - An increasing number of users globally are opting for Chinese AI models' open-source format and lower operating costs compared to U.S. offerings.

CNN - Chinese firms accounted for 20 of the daily top 50 AI models on OpenRouter in May, up from five at the start of 2025, according to an analysis by Our World In Data.

ABC News - Xi promised to provide access for 30 countries to a Chinese-developed AI meteorological system that provides early warning systems.

ABC News - More than 1,100 companies and 1,400 guests are participating in the annual AI conference this year.

CNN - The conference in Shanghai shows both the extent and the limits of China's reach, with limited involvement of American firms despite what state media called record attendance at this year’s event.

ABC News - Xi Jinping stated that AI development and governance should be a global effort and promised more support to developing countries.

ABC News - Xi announced that over the next five years, China will provide 5,000 training opportunities on artificial intelligence to developing countries.

ABC News - 29 countries signed an agreement with China to establish a World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization.

CNN - Trump accused China of exploiting U.S. election data, claiming it had illicitly acquired 220 million American voter files.

CNN - Xi described AI as a "global public good" and emphasized the need for precise governance to prevent loss of control.

CNN - Chinese firms accounted for 20 of the daily top 50 AI models on OpenRouter in May, up from five at the start of 2025.

WHERE:

ABC News - The annual World Artificial Intelligence Conference took place in Shanghai, China.

CNN - The conference was attended by tech executives and researchers in Shanghai, China.

WHEN:

ABC News - The World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization was launched on the eve of the conference.

CNN - This is the first time Xi has attended the flagship AI event since its launch in 2018.

WHY:

Al Jazeera - Xi emphasized the need to prevent the creation of "new historical injustices" in AI access for developing countries.

ABC News - Xi's remarks were a response to American-led restrictions that have blocked China from accessing advanced technologies.

CNN - Xi's message aimed to position China as a leader in setting global rules around AI amidst U.S.-China competition.

HOW:

Al Jazeera - WAICO aims to promote international cooperation and develop AI regulation across countries to ensure the technology is beneficial and safe for humans.

Al Jazeera - The inter-governmental organization was formally formed on July 16, with 29 founding member countries including major Global South nations.

Al Jazeera - WAICO aims to promote international cooperation and develop AI regulation across countries to ensure the technology is beneficial and safe for humans.

Techmeme - Twenty-nine countries, including China, Russia, and Brazil, signed an agreement to establish the World AI Cooperation Organization in Shanghai.

CNN - China launched its World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) as a new grouping of 29 countries, including Russia, Indonesia, and Pakistan, friendly to China and its aims.

ABC News - Xi emphasized the need for global cooperation in AI and opposed the overstretching of national security concerns.

CNN - China launched the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization as a new grouping of 29 countries to promote AI governance.

(UPDATED July 18, 2026 01:22 UTC)

China has announced plans to provide 5,000 training opportunities in artificial intelligence to developing countries over the next five years, while also expanding AI cooperation with various international organizations, including ASEAN and BRICS. Just a day prior, 29 countries, including Pakistan, Russia, and Kazakhstan, signed an agreement to establish a World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization with China. Meanwhile, the annual AI conference is seeing participation from over 1,100 companies and 1,400 guests, with tech giant Huawei showcasing its powerful AI computing system, the Atlas 950 SuperPoD.

(UPDATED July 17, 2026 23:12 UTC)

Xi Jinping emphasized that the development of artificial intelligence should be a collaborative effort among nations rather than a solo endeavor, calling for a "symphony of global cooperation." He also announced that China will grant access to a Chinese-developed AI meteorological system, which will provide early warning systems to 30 countries. Additionally, the newly formed World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, headquartered in Shanghai, aims to foster international cooperation and develop regulations to ensure AI technology is safe and beneficial for humanity, with participation from over 1,100 companies and 1,400 guests at this year's annual AI conference.

(UPDATED July 17, 2026 22:17 UTC)

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres attended the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, where Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized a "people-centred" approach to AI, advocating for regulations and safeguards to ensure that technology remains under human control. During the event, the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, or WAICO, was officially established on July 16, with 29 founding member countries, including key Global South nations like Indonesia, Brazil, and South Africa. Xi also highlighted the importance of preventing "new historical injustices" in AI access for developing countries, as WAICO aims to foster international cooperation and develop regulations to ensure AI is safe and beneficial for all.

(UPDATED July 17, 2026 13:25 UTC)

At a recent conference, tech giant Huawei unveiled its powerful AI computing system, the Atlas 950 SuperPoD, highlighting China's commitment to advancing science and technology as outlined in its five-year plan through 2030. Meanwhile, an increasing number of users worldwide are turning to Chinese AI models due to their open-source format and lower operating costs, with Chinese firms now making up 20 of the top 50 AI models on OpenRouter, a significant rise from just five at the beginning of 2025. Additionally, twenty-nine countries, including China, Russia, and Brazil, have come together to sign an agreement to establish the World AI Cooperation Organization in Shanghai.

(UPDATED July 17, 2026 08:38 UTC)

China is set to expand its AI cooperation with several international organizations, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the BRICS countries. President Xi has also promised access to a Chinese-developed AI meteorological system for 30 countries, which will enhance early warning capabilities. This announcement comes as over 1,100 companies and 1,400 guests gather at the annual AI conference in Shanghai, highlighting both China's ambitions and the limited presence of American firms at the event.

(UPDATED July 17, 2026 07:39 UTC)

At the annual World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the need for global cooperation in AI development, stating it should be a collective effort and announcing that China will provide 5,000 training opportunities on artificial intelligence to developing countries over the next five years. In a notable response to U.S.-led restrictions, Xi described AI as a "global public good" and highlighted the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, which was signed by 29 countries. Meanwhile, President Trump accused China of exploiting U.S. election data, claiming the country had illicitly acquired 220 million American voter files, underscoring the ongoing tensions in U.S.-China relations.