China AI summit hears Global South needs equal access to avoid digital divide

At China's World AI Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, scholars and international figures emphasized the urgent need for global cooperation and development-focused AI regulations to prevent a widening digital divide. Beijing is actively engaging the Global South with AI training and infrastructure initiatives, seeking greater influence in global governance. Tsinghua University's Xue Lan called for international consensus and improved interoperability of national governance systems. Representatives from developing nations, like former Mongolian President Nambaryn Enkhbayar, cautioned that premature regulation could hinder emerging markets' technological progress, expressing readiness for AI development through international cooperation, including with China.

At the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, Chinese President Xi Jinping cautioned against perpetuating "new historical injustices" in the age of AI. He advocated for increased support for the Global South and a more open, inclusive approach to AI development. Xi also emphasized the need for countries to enhance risk awareness and ensure AI remains "secure and controllable," while criticizing the growing securitization of the technology. His remarks followed an address by US President Donald Trump, who accused China of orchestrating a significant compromise of election data.

At the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for international cooperation in AI development, stating it should not be a "solo performance by a single country." He emphasized a "people-centred" approach and announced China's plans to collaborate with international bodies from Africa, Latin America, Asia, and BRICS countries to provide AI capacity-building opportunities for developing nations. Xi also advocated against overstretching national security concepts in AI and warned against prioritizing one country's security over others. This call for cooperation comes as China's AI models gain ground on US offerings, while global debates continue regarding AI governance and its potential misuse.

Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the formation of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO) at the World AI Conference in Shanghai on July 17, 2026. This new inter-governmental organization, with 29 founding member nations including several from the Global South, aims to promote international cooperation and develop AI regulations. Xi urged global cooperation in AI development, stating it should not be dominated by a single country, and emphasized a people-centered approach with human control. Analysts suggest China intends to use WAICO to influence global AI policy discussions, particularly within the UN. This initiative comes amidst a technological rivalry between China and the US, with both nations investing heavily in AI and facing restrictions on critical technologies.

Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), China's largest AI industry event, on Friday. His presence underscored AI development's importance to China's technological advancement and geopolitical strategy. The article states that Xi called for "openness" and opposed "one country" rule in AI. This comes as the United States imposes export controls on advanced semiconductors and limits access to top AI models. In response, Beijing is accelerating its pursuit of technological self-reliance.