![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2026-07-17T064453Z_728023684_RC2GFMAA7JVI_RTRMADP_3_CHINA-AI-1784291222.jpg\")
A humanoid robot that cooks is displayed at the Xi Xiang booth during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, China, July 17, 2026 [Go Nakamura\/Reuters]What did Xi say?<\/p>\nIt was an artificial intelligence summit with very real-world geopolitical messaging.<\/p>\n
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday\u00a0urged countries to cooperate on artificial intelligence and ensure no country dominates the technology \u2013 in an apparent jab at the United States.<\/p>\n
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Xi spoke at a major tech conference in Shanghai on Friday, where China showcased cutting-edge technology that rivals the prowess of the US.<\/p>\n
Both countries are locked in a battle for tech and AI dominance and view each other\u2019s advancements in these areas as deliberate attempts to stymie the other.<\/p>\n
As Chinese AI models gain ground globally, Beijing appears to be casting itself as a leader of the new global AI order, challenging the US\u2019s influence in the development and regulation of the fast-evolving technology.<\/p>\n
At the heart of that strategy is a new coalition of 29 nations that China announced on Thursday, called the\u00a0World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO), in a high-level event where attendees included United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s what we know:<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
A humanoid robot that cooks is displayed at the Xi Xiang booth during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, China, July 17, 2026 [Go Nakamura\/Reuters]What did Xi say?<\/p>\n
Xi, while speaking at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, called on countries to embrace the \u201chistoric opportunity\u201d provided by open-source AI.<\/p>\n
He said that China has played a role in ensuring equitable access to AI capacity-building for developing countries to prevent the creation of \u201cnew historical injustices\u201d and announced Beijing\u2019s plans to continue cooperating with countries across Africa, Latin America and Asia.<\/p>\n
\u201cAI development should not be a solo performance by a single country, but a symphony of international cooperation,\u201d Xi said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe should jointly oppose overstretching the national security concept in the field of AI or placing one country\u2019s security over that of others.\u201d<\/p>\n
Xi also stressed the need for a \u201cpeople-centred\u201d approach to AI that ensures that \u201cAI is always under human control\u201d using safeguards such as regulations, technological monitoring, early warning and emergency response systems.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s WAICO?<\/p>\n
The inter-governmental organisation was formally formed on July 16, although Beijing has touted a global AI alliance since last year.<\/p>\n
Its stated goals are to promote international cooperation and develop AI regulation across countries that ensure the technology is beneficial and safe for humans.<\/p>\n
Headquartered in Shanghai, WAICO\u2019s 29 member founding countries include several major Global South nations,\u00a0including Indonesia, Brazil, Malaysia, South Africa, Senegal, Russia and Pakistan.<\/p>\n
Analysts speculate that Beijing will likely use the alliance to shape how AI policies are framed at the UN.<\/p>\n
Why does this matter?<\/p>\n
AI is an important pillar of China\u2019s industrial policy. Beijing has invested massively in building a self-sustained domestic ecosystem, from chip production to consumer use.<\/p>\n
That has spurred a \u201cChip War\u201d with the US as both race to control the production of chip-based technology like advanced military weapons and AI-powered systems.<\/p>\n
While Beijing lags behind the US in access to the most cutting-edge semiconductors, it currently holds the edge in powering huge data centres<\/a> needed to train and run AI models. China also dominates the production of critical rare earth minerals required to build chips.<\/p>\n An abundant supply of cheap electricity has given China the advantage of meeting AI\u2019s colossal energy demands. Beijing already generates more than twice as much electricity as the US, a lead that is expected to widen amid an aggressive state-led investment in the country\u2019s energy grid.<\/p>\n China currently faces technology import restrictions from the US, with Washington citing national security concerns.<\/p>\n Beijing, however, sees the US\u2019s actions as an attempt to stymie its efforts on AI.<\/p>\n