The World AI Conference (WAIC) 2025 was held in Shanghai this weekend as leaders of the world, scientists and representatives of the industry gathered in one tent under the theme of global solidarity, in the era of AI. The event (lasting three days) is at a critical moment when artificial intelligence is about to transform the industries and redesign all liances across the globe. The high profile meeting was headed by the Chinese Premier Li, Qiang further reaffirming the Chinese vision of partnership in the AI future. Conversations on governance, open-source cooperation, and disaster preparedness are some of the proposals emerging on how to strategize the world AI agenda.
China's AI Leadership Strengthened by Premier Support
Premier Li Qiang inaugurated WAIC 2025 and reported that Shanghai has become an AI highland city, and the integration of artificial intelligence and the real economy is profound. His speech further supported the Chinese leadership’s regard for AI as one of the national development pillars. The endorsement follows similar cues made by President Xi Jinping earlier this year when he toured the AI centers of Shanghai and shouted that he wants the sector to continue expanding.
The conference attendees included Nobel and Turing prize winners, government, academic, and industry leaders. Their arrival highlighted the increasing importance of harmonized international activities in shaping artificial intelligence in the context of development and governance. The occasion will put Shanghai and China, in general, in the middle of the global AI picture.
Global Voices Call for Inclusive and Safe AI Development
Video testimonials of Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the UN, made headlines in terms of international presence at WAIC 2025. He encouraged countries to be inclusive and safe in developing AI by collaborating at the international level. Guterres said that achieving both the benefits of AI technologies to humanity and reduced risks would be possible only through the multilateral endeavors.
Anne Bouverot, the French President’s Special Envoy, addressed the audience in person. She pointed to AI’s potential in solving pressing issues such as the climate crisis, and in improving global systems for healthcare, education, and agriculture. Bouverot framed these benefits as accessible only through responsible innovation.
Similar sentiments were emulated by the Secretary General of ASEAN Kao Kim Hourn. He referred to inclusive AI as part of a foundation of digital transformation and commended the ever-increasing collaboration between ASEAN and China. His message was in line with the larger theme of the conference of solidarity in which he pointed out that AI would fail unless there were cross-border cooperation.
Major Announcements Showcase China's Global AI Ambitions
Some of the most important initiatives launched at WAIC 2025 were supposed to enhance international cooperation in AI. Among them was the launch of a new place focused on AI governance, called the Center for Global AI Innovative Governance, which is to develop the rules and strategies of AI implementation on the global level. This is a step by China to take a decisive role in international Regulatory solutions.
The gathering was also accompanied by the launch of the project’s case collection, “AI From China is beneficial to the world (2025).” The collection included domestic projects that have international significance. One more milestone was the publication of the so-called “International Open Source AI Cooperation Initiative,” which is meant to foster open collaboration in the development of AI systems.
These announcements have implied China’s strategic efforts to establish itself as a home of ethical AI leadership and provide formulas that other nations could replicate or apply to suit their national conditions.
MAZU-Urban AI Agent Debuts with Focus on Public Safety
In one of the most notable tech showcases, the MAZU-Urban AI agent was introduced as a next-generation tool for multi-hazard early warning. MAZU stands for “multi-hazard alert with zero gap and universal,” a title that highlights its purpose—reducing delays and expanding access to lifesaving information.
The MAZU system reflects a growing trend in AI development, where tools are created not only for commercial gain but also for public good. As natural disasters become more frequent and unpredictable, AI-driven early warning systems like MAZU could play a critical role in urban risk management.
This technology explains Premier Li’s statement regarding the real-world utility of implementing AI into critical services and infrastructure. It is also in line with the more general WAIC message of solving global problems with AI.
Global AI WAIC 2025 Governance Action Plan Released
The other milestone of the 2025 WAIC was the launch of the Global AI Governance Action Plan. This paper presents a list of coherent plans to regulate the development, implementation, and reform of AI. It also entails demands for transparency, risk reduction, and responsibility for both the state and the non-state.
The Governance Plan also promotes the idea and use of cooperative mechanisms by countries to counter risks related to AI. This project can result in a landscape in which technological competition and national interests are often segmented; this new initiative can encourage united fronts where innovation and responsibility find a good place.
Experts at the conference stressed that this type of planning is critical as AI systems become more embedded in everyday life. Without shared governance standards, they warned, the global community may struggle to keep pace with the rapid expansion of AI capabilities.
Geoffrey Hinton Stresses Need for Cooperative Oversight
The 2024 Nobel laureate and 2018 Turing Award winner Geoffrey Hinton spoilsported by warning that we should be cautious in interpreting AIT’s promises. As Professor Emeritus of the University of Toronto, he lamented the lack of international collaboration on how AI should be developed.
Hinton stated that the core objective must be building AI that enhances human capabilities without seizing users’ control. He emphasized the need to separate decision-making mechanisms from intelligence-enhancing technologies to ensure autonomy and safety remain in human hands.
His statement chimed with the audience, the majority of whom are trying to figure out the ethical extent of AI design. The significance of involving academic voices in global tech governance was another area that may be assigned to Hinton.
Exhibition Draws Crowds with Global and Chinese Debuts
While the main forums run through Monday, the WAIC 2025 exhibition continues until Tuesday. Organizers confirmed that weekend tickets have already sold out, signaling strong public interest. The showcase includes over 3,000 exhibits, with 100 global or Chinese debuts on display.
The exhibition is also an opportunity to take a practical look at the latest technologies, including those involving AI use in areas such as robotics, transport, healthcare, and green living. These displays indicate the increasing need for practical applications of AI that can be expanded not only in geographies but also across sectors.
The popularity of the exhibition suggests a rising public enthusiasm for AI and growing curiosity about how it will shape the future of work, governance, and daily life.
Conclusion: A Turning Point for Global AI Collaboration
At WAIC 2025, the world will take a landmark turn in the discussion about AI. Under the guidance of China and the input of global organizations such as the UN and the ASEAN, the summit indicated a desire to work collaborately and to exercise responsible innovation. The Global AI Governance Action Plan, the launch of the MAZU early warning system, and other proposals discussed at the conference are all significant ones and are ultimately those with practical potential.
As AI technologies continue to evolve at breakneck speed, the outcomes of WAIC 2025 may influence how nations align their strategies, laws, and partnerships. With Shanghai hosting the event at the center of these developments, the city stands poised to remain a key player in the future of artificial intelligence.
