China Establishes Its Own AI International Cooperation Organization

China is attempting to establish its own framework in the field of global artificial intelligence governance—the international systems for management and coordination. President Xi Jinping announced the establishment of a new international organization, WAICO, at the 'World AI Conference' held in Shanghai. At the same time, he pledged to provide a 5,000-person training program to support talent development necessary for artificial intelligence development to Global South nations, which consist of emerging and developing countries.

To understand this move, it is necessary to grasp the current international artificial intelligence order. Regarding artificial intelligence governance, Western-led frameworks have thus far served as the center of discussion. Representative examples include the formulation of principles and regulations through the OECD and G7, and China's influence in such forums has been limited. In this context, China can be seen as seeking to strengthen its international voice in the artificial intelligence field by establishing its own cooperation framework.

As a specific plan, a proposal was also presented to establish artificial intelligence cooperation centers with regional and international organizations such as ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), the African Union, and BRICS. These are all geopolitical blocs different from the major allies of Europe and the United States, and are regions that China prioritizes as cooperation partners. The provision of training programs to Global South countries goes beyond mere technology support and can also be positioned as having an aspect of strengthening relationships with each country in the artificial intelligence field.

Why is this move significant? Artificial intelligence governance is currently in a stage of forming international norms regarding 'how to develop and utilize artificial intelligence under what rules.' At this stage, incorporating many countries into one's own cooperative framework could provide a significant advantage in future norm-making. When China provides support to Global South countries in technology and talent aspects, this can be viewed as potentially influencing which position those countries approach in the international artificial intelligence rule-making forum.

At present, the specific organizational structure of WAICO, its decision-making mechanisms, and the scale of participating countries remain unclear. Regarding the schedule for establishing cooperation centers and the details of the training program, it is necessary to await further announcements. However, the fact that Xi himself announced this at an official conference demonstrates that this initiative is being promoted at the highest level of the Chinese government.

International discussions surrounding artificial intelligence governance are deeply intertwined with each country's diplomacy and security, extending beyond technical topics. This move becomes clearer in meaning when viewed in the context of 'competition for leadership in standards and norms' in the artificial intelligence field. Going forward, the scope to which WAICO participating countries expand and how relations with existing Western-led forums develop will be key focal points to watch.