Brazil and China are among the 29 countries that recently signed an agreement in Shanghai on the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), becoming founding members of the new organisation. The signing ceremony was held on the eve of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference, which also took place in Shanghai.

WAICO will be an independent intergovernmental international organisation headquartered in Shanghai. It aims to promote international co-operation and global governance in the field of artificial intelligence, foster technological exchanges and joint research, and reduce inequalities in access to AI technologies and services. The organisation also seeks to strengthen the participation of Global South countries in discussions on digital governance.

In addition to Brazil and China, the group of founding members includes countries from Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe, giving the organisation a multilateral character. The initiative comes amid rapid technological advances and growing concerns over digital security, technological sovereignty, data protection, and the economic and social effects of automation.

Brazil’s participation comes at a time of deepening bilateral dialogue with China in areas considered strategic to the future of the economy, including digital infrastructure, cloud computing, semiconductors and critical minerals. In recent months, the two countries have intensified contacts in technological innovation and expanded partnerships in scientific research and industrial development.

(Source: Agência Brasil China, 20 July)