AI for all: WAICO's plan to bridge the digital divide

Editor's note: Xu Ying is a Beijing-based international affairs commentator for CGTN. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

The signing ceremony of the Agreement on the Establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) in Shanghai on July 16 marks an important milestone in the evolution of global artificial intelligence governance. As AI reshapes economies, industries and societies at an unprecedented pace, the world faces a defining choice: Whether this transformative technology will deepen geopolitical divisions or become a shared engine of human progress.

China's proposal points to the latter. Rather than viewing AI primarily through the lens of strategic rivalry or technological containment, WAICO seeks to build an international platform based on openness, cooperation and mutual benefit. Guided by the principle of "AI for Good," it reflects the belief that the benefits of artificial intelligence should be shared broadly and governed collectively. At a time when the international community is searching for effective governance mechanisms, WAICO offers a timely opportunity to foster broader consensus on how AI should serve humanity.

A governance gap that calls for cooperation

Artificial intelligence has rapidly become one of the defining technologies of the 21st century. It is transforming manufacturing, healthcare, education, transportation and scientific research while creating new industries and opportunities. Yet governance has struggled to keep pace with technological innovation.

Today's AI governance landscape remains fragmented. Different countries and regions are pursuing divergent regulatory approaches. Some prioritize national security and export controls, while others focus on regulatory compliance or industrial competitiveness. These differing approaches have complicated international cooperation and limited the free flow of talent, research and innovation.

Such fragmentation carries several risks. It creates uncertainty for businesses and researchers engaged in cross-border collaboration. It widens the digital divide, leaving many developing countries without sufficient access to advanced computing infrastructure, AI models and technical expertise. It also risks creating a world divided between AI leaders and AI followers, undermining the promise of inclusive technological progress.

Against this backdrop, WAICO represents an effort to strengthen multilateral cooperation rather than deepen technological fragmentation. Instead of creating another exclusive technology bloc, it aims to provide an open platform where countries at different stages of development can jointly shape AI governance and share development opportunities.

Three pillars of global AI governance

WAICO is built upon three mutually reinforcing priorities.

The first is deepening innovation cooperation. AI develops most effectively when knowledge, talent and innovation circulate across borders. WAICO seeks to promote collaborative research, technological exchanges and industrial partnerships while encouraging wider sharing of research achievements and best practices. Such cooperation can accelerate innovation while enabling more countries to benefit from technological progress.

The second pillar is promoting inclusive development. Through the Inclusive Plan for Building Artificial Intelligence Capacity, the Chinese government aims to narrow the AI capability gap by supporting developing countries through technical training, digital infrastructure and institutional capacity building. For many developing economies, building local talent and technological ecosystems is as important as gaining access to AI itself.

The third pillar is strengthening coordinated governance. AI presents challenges that transcend national borders. WAICO seeks to encourage dialogue on governance principles, technical standards, ethical guidelines and risk management while respecting countries' different development paths. Its objective is not uniformity but greater compatibility and cooperation.

Underlying all three pillars is a shared commitment to ensuring that AI remains people-centered, safe, controllable and beneficial to society.

China's practical contribution

China's proposal for WAICO builds upon years of engagement in international AI governance.

Since launching the Global AI Governance Initiative in 2023, China has consistently advocated greater international coordination under multilateral frameworks. In 2024, the78th session of the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted China's resolution on strengthening international cooperation in AI capacity-building, with more than 140 countries joining as co-sponsors. The resolution emphasized that AI development should remain inclusive, sustainable and beneficial for all.

China has also paired policy initiatives with practical cooperation.

Working with UNESCO, China has expanded the Youth Coding Initiative, providing AI education and digital skills training for young people across Africa and Asia. The program has helped cultivate local talent and strengthen long-term technological capacity.

China has likewise promoted the open-source development of AI technologies. Models such as DeepSeek and Tongyi Qianwen have lowered barriers for startups, universities and research institutions worldwide, allowing more developers to build AI applications at lower cost and accelerating innovation across borders.

Equally important are AI applications that directly improve people's lives. Following the devastating earthquake in Myanmar in 2025, an AI-powered Chinese-Myanmar-English translation system based on DeepSeek technology was deployed in just seven hours to assist rescue workers and affected communities. China has also supported AI-powered smart agriculture projects in countries including Cambodia, helping farmers improve productivity through digital technologies.

These examples demonstrate that AI's greatest value lies not simply in technological sophistication but in addressing real-world challenges and advancing sustainable development.

A more inclusive vision

If successfully established, WAICO could make several important contributions to global AI governance.

It could help narrow the digital divide by supporting AI capacity building in developing countries through innovative international cooperation mechanisms. It could also provide an institutional platform where governments, businesses, researchers and international organizations regularly exchange ideas, coordinate policies and reduce regulatory fragmentation.

Equally significant, WAICO would give developing countries a stronger voice in shaping global AI governance. International discussions have often been dominated by technologically advanced economies, while the priorities of many developing nations receive insufficient attention. A governance framework that reflects broader participation is more likely to produce balanced and effective outcomes.

More fundamentally, WAICO offers an alternative vision at a time when technological protectionism and exclusive innovation alliances are becoming increasingly common. Rather than treating AI primarily as a strategic asset to be restricted, it advocates treating AI as a global public good whose benefits should be more widely shared.

A shared future for artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence will shape humanity's future for decades to come. Whether it becomes a driver of shared prosperity or a source of deeper inequality depends not only on technological breakthroughs but also on the institutions created to govern it.

The establishment of WAICO reflects the understanding that no country can successfully govern AI alone. Shared opportunities require shared responsibilities.

China's proposal does not claim to provide every answer to the complex challenges posed by AI. Instead, it seeks to create a platform where countries can jointly explore solutions through dialogue, consultation and practical cooperation.

As discussions on WAICO advance during the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, the initiative will naturally face questions about implementation and institutional design. Yet its broader direction is clear. AI governance should be built not on technological monopolies or geopolitical rivalry, but on openness, trust and cooperation.

If WAICO succeeds in expanding international participation, strengthening AI capacity building and promoting practical collaboration, it could become an important pillar of a more balanced global AI governance architecture. More importantly, it could help ensure that artificial intelligence remains a force for peace, development and common prosperity.

The future of AI should not belong to a select few. It should benefit all humanity. WAICO represents an important step toward making that vision a reality.

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