Xi Jinping calls for a consensus‑based global AI governance framework and says China will spearhead a BRICS AI open‑source community.
open-source
| Source: Techmeme | Original article
Chinese President Xi Jinping used his keynote at the 2026 World AI Conference in Shanghai to call for a “consensus‑based global AI governance framework” and announced that China will spearhead the creation of a BRICS‑wide open‑source AI community. The address, delivered on 17 July, also unveiled the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), a new body intended to coordinate “people‑centered” AI development and ensure equitable access to the technology for developing economies.
The move marks a shift from China’s traditional focus on bilateral tech deals to a multilateral push for shared standards and open‑source tools. By positioning itself at the centre of a BRICS AI network, Beijing aims to counter narratives that a single nation – notably the United States – could dominate the frontier. The emphasis on “consensus‑based” governance echoes calls from Western leaders for coordinated safety measures, but frames the discussion in terms of fairness and collective benefit rather than restriction.
Why it matters is twofold. First, global AI governance is rapidly becoming a geopolitical flashpoint, with the United States recently defending a hands‑off regulatory stance while industry leaders such as OpenAI and Anthropic warn of extinction‑level risks and urge a slowdown. As we reported on 13 September, President Trump dismissed calls for an AI slowdown, and Anthropic’s CEO urged “pacing the frontier.” Xi’s proposal therefore introduces a competing vision that could shape future diplomatic negotiations, standards‑setting bodies, and the balance of research talent between East and West.
What to watch next are the concrete steps WAICO will take to draft international norms, the rollout of the BRICS open‑source platform, and how Washington and European regulators respond. The next round of high‑level AI summits – including the upcoming US‑China dialogue on AI safety – will likely test whether a consensus framework can emerge or if the rivalry will deepen.
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