The 4th AI Capacity Building Workshop, hosted by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, opened at Peking University in Beijing on Monday, bringing together nearly 40 high-level officials from the founding members of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO).
This workshop is part of China's commitment to provide developing countries with 5,000 opportunities for AI training and seminars over the next five years, a pledge made at the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance held in Shanghai, in July.
Over the course of six days, participants will engage in in-depth discussions on AI governance and applications, among other topics.
During the opening ceremony, Liu Bin, Assistant Minister of Chinese Foreign Affairs, emphasized the immense opportunities presented by AI, as well as the formidable challenges. He noted that China has positioned itself as a pioneer in AI capacity-building.
In 2024, China facilitated the UN General Assembly's consensus on a resolution on "Enhancing International Cooperation on Capacity-Building of Artificial Intelligence." Since then, the country has introduced several initiatives, including the "China's AI Capacity-Building Action Plan for Good and for All," the "AI plus International Cooperation Initiative, and the establishment of the WAICO.
Liu said that these efforts aim to deepen international cooperation in AI capacity-building and to promote inclusive and beneficial AI development globally.
"We are committed to the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits. By leveraging the platform of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, we seek to enhance mutual trust, build consensus, and strengthen cooperation. Our goal is to deliver tangible outcomes that address practical needs, bridge the AI gap, and continually unlock the benefits of AI, making it a vital force for enhancing human well-being and promoting the progress of human civilization," said Liu.
China's AI capacity-building workshops have won praise from international delegates for promoting shared development and global cooperation.
"We cannot accept a world where only a few control AI. We need cooperation. This is why initiatives like WAICO and United Nations programs matter. They share knowledge and train where they are most needed. They help bridge the digital divide. By sharing open source, AI models and knowledge through training and partnership, China helps others build their own capacity. This openness is a model for us," said Renan Mendes Gaya Lopes Dos Santos, director of the Public Data Infrastructure Department under Brazil's Ministry of Management and Innovation in Public Services.
4th AI capacity building workshop opens in Beijing
