China’s World AI Cooperation Organisation (WAICO) has rapidly increased its membership from 29 to 38 countries within a month of its founding, coinciding with the US urging allied states to avoid dual commitments to competing AI alliances. This development marks a critical moment in the emerging global competition over AI governance and technology sovereignty.
- WAICO grows from 29 to 38 member countries within one month.
- US draft letter warns 35 countries against dual alliance memberships.
- China emphasizes digital sovereignty and independent AI development paths.
What happened
China’s World AI Cooperation Organisation (WAICO) was formally established on 16 July 2026 by 29 countries following a proposal by Premier Li Qiang and was quickly joined by nine additional signatories, bringing the total to 38. This coalition promotes a framework asserting respect for each nation’s digital sovereignty and the right to independently chart their AI technology development.
Meanwhile, the US State Department has prepared a draft letter addressed to the 35 countries that signed the AI Opportunity Statement, cautioning against participating in overlapping AI alliances. Although this letter is not yet sent and does not explicitly name China or WAICO, it is widely understood to be directed at preventing engagement with the Chinese-led alliance.
Why it matters
The rapid growth of WAICO during a pivotal geopolitical showdown highlights the intensifying division in global AI governance. China’s model champions a decentralized approach respecting national control over AI technologies, contrasting with the US-led Pax Silica grouping, whose current 25 signatories advocate tighter alignment and collective governance.
This split threatens to fragment the global AI ecosystem by forcing countries to commit exclusively to one camp or the other. Such division could slow collaborative innovation and complicate cross-border AI standards, impacting the future of technology policy, trade, and security internationally.
What to watch next
Observers should monitor if the US State Department sends the pending letter and how countries respond to the implicit choice between WAICO and Pax Silica membership. The outcome could reveal new alignments in international AI cooperation and indicate which governance philosophy gains broader traction.
It will also be important to track WAICO’s initiatives such as AI training offerings to developing countries and how its members advance digital sovereignty policies at international forums like the United Nations. These moves could strengthen China’s influence in defining AI’s global regulatory framework.