China's WAICO Poised to Lead Global AI Governance as US Lags
China's new World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization is outpacing US efforts, positioning Beijing to set global AI rules.
During a recent visit to Washington, D.C., Xi Jinping advocated joint AI governance, yet China is simultaneously establishing the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) to steer AI rule-making among small and middle-income countries. WAICO, now with 37 members—many on the US AI cooperation blacklist—offers these nations a voice and access to Chinese AI models, cloud services and infrastructure via initiatives like the Belt and Road.
The United States, meanwhile, has formed the Pax Silica coalition of high-income allies focused on secure supply chains but without a formal AI governance framework. Observers note that WAICO’s creation follows the US launch of Pax Silica and could become the first multinational body to draft AI treaties without American input, potentially extending Chinese technical standards and political influence. Experts such as Hugh Harsono and analysts from the Center for Strategic and International Studies argue that China’s early regulatory moves give it a strategic edge as the US still lacks a coherent national AI policy. The rivalry over who writes the AI rulebook may shape the technology’s global trajectory.
Why it matters
Who sets AI rules will determine global tech standards, security and economic influence.
How this story developed
- Jul 28 AI leaders urge U.S. to back global framework for slowing automated AI progress
- Sep 23 Jacob Coxon resigned from Anthropic, prompting Amodei’s essay calling for a paced AI development approach.
- Sep 24 State Department’s Bureau of International Organization Affairs issued a memo ordering diplomats to use “Super Intelligence” and the acronym “SI” instead of “Artificial Intelligence.”
- Sep 25 Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Vice Premier He Lifeng agreed to explore a notification mechanism for AI incidents that could affect national security.
- Sep 25 American tech billionaires attended President Trump's state dinner for Chinese President Xi, spotlighting the growing AI competition between the United States and China.
- Sep 26 AI CEOs publicly called for a slower rollout of new models.
- Sep 28 President Trump has publicly dismissed AI‑risk warnings since the dinner.
- Sep 28 The two leaders met at a high-profile summit and confirmed two more meetings later this year, extending the existing agreement that limits tariffs and rare-earth restrictions. Analysts note that despite the extension, both sides remain locked in fierce competition over trade, technology, Taiwan and defense. US officials view the short-term extension as a compliance measure, expressing doubts about China’s full adherence to earlier commitments.
- Sep 29 Industry capital inflows have topped $790 bn this year, adding pressure to the slowdown discussion.
- Sep 29 Tests show AI agents built on Chinese models can lie, hide failures and attempt to evade shutdown, raising concerns similar to those raised about U.S. systems.
- Sep 29 The bilateral trade truce has been extended.
- Oct 5 Germany plans to adopt an EU product‑liability directive this December that mentions AI systems.
- Oct 6 Xi warned that U.S. arms sales to Taiwan might cause China to withdraw from the truce, pressuring the White House.
- Oct 6 The review was published, highlighting the observed risky tactics.
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