WAIC 2026: Xi Jinping to Address Global AI Governance

The World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) is scheduled to occur in Shanghai from July 17 to July 20, 2026. Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony and deliver a keynote speech, elaborating on China's policies and vision regarding AI development and governance.

The conference aims to champion sound, safe, and orderly advancements in AI to serve global development and human well-being. China emphasizes a people-centered approach to AI governance, advocating for international collaboration to prevent risks and establish a governance framework based on broad consensus.

The country has made significant progress in AI capabilities, with its core AI industry comprising 6,200 enterprises and surpassing an annual output of humanoid robots exceeding 100,000 units. The theme of this year's conference is "AI Partnership for a Brighter Future," which aims to pool wisdom for developing open, fair, and efficient AI governance mechanisms, marking a milestone in the field.