A New Era for Global AI Governance
The 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance concluded in Shanghai on July 20, delivering a series of landmark outcomes spanning international cooperation, technological innovation, industrial development, and global governance.
Held from July 17 to 20, the conference brought together official representatives from 102 countries and international organizations. It attracted 1,568 experts from China and abroad, including 432 foreign guest speakers and 11 recipients of the Turing Award, Nobel Prize, or Fields Medal.
World AI Cooperation Organization Founded
In a historic move, representatives from 29 countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Europe signed the Agreement on the Establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization. The organization will be headquartered in Shanghai, marking a significant step toward institutionalized global AI governance.
The conference featured nearly 160 forums, along with dozens of bilateral and multilateral exchanges and business talks. About 80 countries and international organizations participated in the High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance.
$6 Billion in AI Investments
Agreements covering 32 key AI projects in Shanghai were signed at the closing ceremony, with a total investment exceeding 40.9 billion yuan ($6.05 billion). The projects span AI infrastructure, AI agents, embodied intelligence, and AI for science.
Shanghai Unicom launched the UniAI program, planning to invest more than 25 billion yuan to strengthen intelligent computing infrastructure and expand AI applications in industrial upgrading, public services, urban governance, and the digital ecosystem.
A strategic partnership will provide specialized financial services and develop new financial products for the AI sector. The Shanghai Institute for Physical Artificial Intelligence and Robotics was also inaugurated to advance research and commercialization.
Record-Breaking Exhibition
More than 1,100 companies from China and abroad participated, showcasing around 350 global debuts among nearly 4,500 exhibits. Over 180 startup projects were featured through roadshows and exhibitions, creating opportunities for entrepreneurs to connect with investors.
The conference generated approximately 20.36 billion yuan in intended purchases, up 25 percent year-on-year, signaling strong momentum in China's AI market despite global economic headwinds.
