Dilma Rousseff and Jeffrey Sachs: WAIC 2026 in Shanghai becomes a key platform for global AI governance
In an era of rapid technological change, balancing innovation and regulation has become one of the key challenges for the international community. The Shanghai conference, bringing together thought leaders, policymakers and scientists, is becoming a venue where not only new ideas are born but also common approaches to governing technologies that could reshape human civilisation. It is here, in an atmosphere of open dialogue, that the principles for the future global AI architecture are being forged.
The 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference, held under the theme "AI Partnership for a Bright Future", features more than 140 forums and will bring together 1,400 guests from home and abroad. It consists of six sections: conferences and forums, exhibitions and demonstrations, awards and competitions, application experience, innovation incubation and talent attraction. As countries seek to strike a balance between innovation and regulation, the Shanghai conference is becoming an increasingly important venue for international cooperation on AI policy.
Dilma Rousseff, President of the New Development Bank, praised China's role in shaping global AI governance. "China is acting as a pragmatic standard setter, capacity builder and partner in security and governance interoperability, seeking to maintain innovation while managing systemic risks," she said. Jeffrey Sachs, Professor of Economics at Columbia University and former senior UN adviser, stressed the conference's growing global significance. "This conference in Shanghai, held annually for several years, is gaining greater global importance thanks to the expanding partnership between China and developing economies," he said.
The World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) has been held in Shanghai since 2018 and has become one of the world's most respected platforms for discussing AI development, ethics and regulation. This year, special attention is being paid to international cooperation in technology governance, reflecting a growing demand for joint solutions to global challenges. As CCTV+ reports. The outcomes of the conference are expected to underpin new international initiatives and help strengthen trust between countries in the safe and inclusive development of artificial intelligence.
