and representatives from 29 countries, including Kazakhstan, Laos, Pakistan, Russia and Indonesia, signed the agreement, Xinhua News Agency reported.

 Under the agreement, WAICO will be an independent intergovernmental international organization headquartered in Shanghai. The organization will “uphold the purposes of the UN Charter, be committed to extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit and adhere to a people-centered approach,” according to the agreement. It also aims to advance international cooperation and global governance on AI, ensuring the technology is safe, fair and beneficial while promoting its healthy and orderly development for the benefit of all humanity. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also attended the signing ceremony.

 President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China addressed the opening ceremony of this AI-conference on Friday. According to president Xi, China has actively advocated for establishing the WAICO. “China has embraced AI with open arms. We have promoted interplay between an efficient market and a well-functioning government, strengthened AI innovation, actively advanced the AI Plus Initiative, and built a healthy ecosystem for all entities to thrive in together. The core smart economy industries are worth at least RMB 1 trillion yuan. Smart devices in countless homes truly improve people’s livelihood,” president Xi remarked.

 To further support global AI development and advance global AI capacity building, president Xi announced that “in the next five years, China will provide developing countries with 5,000 opportunities in AI training and seminar programs; develop international AI application cooperation centers with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the League of Arab States, the African Union, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and BRICS; and enable 30 countries to use the AI-powered meteorological warning system, or MAZU, to safeguard homes around the world.”

 President Xi concluded that AI development must be guided with human wisdom and international consensus, so that AI can truly become a mighty force that increases the well-being of humanity and advances human civilization.  The AI conference will conclude on Monday. (CGTN/Xinhua)