AI at a turning point: International signals and China's actions ahead of WAIC 2026

From the UN's first global scientific assessment of AI to China's latest governance measures, a series of recent international developments have underscored a growing consensus: AI governance is shifting from conceptual discussions toward institutional implementation.

Against this backdrop, 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), set to take place in Shanghai from July 17 to 20, serves not only as a platform for technological innovation, but also as an important venue for international dialogue on how AI can be developed, governed and shared responsibly.

From scientific consensus to policy action

One of the most significant international developments ahead of WAIC is the release of the first comprehensive global assessment by the UN's scientific panel on artificial intelligence. The report delivers a clear message: The scientific evidence on AI's transformative impact is now sufficiently established, and governments should not delay building governance frameworks.

The report notes that global AI capabilities continue to advance faster than governance mechanisms. It also highlights the highly concentrated distribution of computing resources, with the US and China accounting for the overwhelming majority of global AI computing capacity. Such concentration reflects both the rapid progress of AI technologies and the growing need for broader international cooperation to ensure that the benefits of AI development are more widely shared.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres noted, "The world cannot govern what it cannot understand. The panel's report provides independent science, drawn from every region, and available to every government. Its message is clear: The potential is great, but the risks are real and the cost of waiting is rising. I urge all leaders to use this shared evidence to act together, and without delay."

Building capacity for inclusive AI development

Alongside the UN assessment, international efforts to strengthen AI governance institutions have also accelerated.

On July 5, the Global AI Capacity Building Network was officially launched. Led by Fudan University together with international partners from 19 countries across four continents, the network aims to support knowledge sharing, talent development, policy research and technical cooperation, particularly for developing economies seeking to strengthen their AI capabilities.

The initiative reflects a broader international recognition that narrowing the AI capacity gap is becoming an essential component of global AI governance. As AI technologies become increasingly integrated into economic and social development, unequal access to infrastructure, expertise and computing resources could widen existing development disparities.

From 'AI plus' to 'intelligent partnership'

China has consistently emphasized that AI should contribute to sustainable development and deliver tangible benefits across countries at different stages of development.

Ahead of WAIC 2026, China's National Development and Reform Commission announced two major policy outcomes that will be released during the conference.

The first is China's AI Empowering the World Case Studies, Shared Benefits for the World, a collection of international case studies documenting AI cooperation projects covering more than 20 countries. The publication highlights practical applications of AI across sectors including healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, education, disaster response and digital public services.

The second is the Action Plan for AI Cooperation and Development, which outlines cooperation initiatives across eight key areas. These include policy dialogue, technology cooperation, industrial collaboration, infrastructure development, talent cultivation, standards, governance and international partnerships.

Together, the two documents illustrate China's evolving approach – from promoting the domestic "AI plus" strategy toward expanding international cooperation through what Chinese policymakers increasingly describe as "intelligent partnership." Rather than viewing AI solely as a driver of national competitiveness, the emphasis is placed on enabling broader access to AI-enabled development opportunities through international collaboration.

Strengthening governance while encouraging innovation

Technological innovation and governance are increasingly advancing in parallel.

On July 15, China's regulations on AI Anthropomorphic Interactive Services officially came into effect, adding another component to the country's evolving AI regulatory framework. The new measures seek to improve transparency, clarify platform responsibilities, strengthen user protection and reduce potential risks associated with highly human-like AI interactions.

The implementation of these regulations reflects a broader governance philosophy that seeks to balance innovation with risk management. In recent years, China has introduced regulatory measures covering generative AI services, algorithmic recommendation systems, deep synthesis technologies, and AI-generated content. Together, these frameworks form an increasingly comprehensive governance architecture that evolves alongside technological progress.

This emphasis on balancing development and safety has become one of the defining themes of WAIC, where discussions increasingly focus not only on technological breakthroughs but also on regulatory innovation and international policy coordination.