Russia backs WAICO as a new channel for AI cooperation

Russia’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Anna Evstigneeva, praised China’s hosting of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai and described AI as a force reshaping industry, transportation, education, medicine, commerce and public administration. She said the central challenge is ensuring that all states can benefit equally from AI resources, including datasets, computing power, advanced models, software and reliable energy infrastructure, while protecting technological sovereignty.

On 16 July, 29 countries, including Russia, signed an agreement launching the World AI Cooperation Organization, or WAICO. Evstigneeva said the organization is intended to support equitable cooperation among states, help build national capacities, encourage domestic AI solutions and narrow the digital divide.

Russia proposed several measures for WAICO, including an international catalogue of verified AI solutions, a mechanism for joint pilot projects, voluntary and compatible approaches to safety, testing and standardization, and a network of centers of excellence and training programs. Evstigneeva said WAICO should complement, not undercut, UN efforts, with the UN Charter and international law forming the basis for global AI governance.

She also cited a joint statement by 53 members of the UN Group of Friends for International Cooperation on Artificial Intelligence Capacity-Building, which opposed unilateral coercive measures affecting technological development, called for AI developers and suppliers to follow national laws where their technologies are used, and emphasized trustworthy AI, linguistic diversity and cultural diversity.