China is leading the world on AI governance: other countries must engage

"As Nature reported last week ( Nature https://doi.org/qhbv; 2025), one country is pushing forwards with plans to change that. China is proposing to set up a global body to coordinate the regulation of AI, to be known as the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO). Establishing such a body is in all countries' interests, and governments around the world should get on board."

"AI models have astounding power, and abilities that could supercharge science and boost economic growth. But they do not fully understand the world, and can fail in unpredictable ways. There are many ways in which they could cause harm, including exacerbating inequality, aiding criminality and assisting the spread of mis- and disinformation. Some prominent researchers even argue that superintelligent AI could one day destroy humanity."

"a race that many fear has created an economic bubble that is on the brink of bursting. The United States, which is home to many of the companies making the most powerful and widely used models, has no national AI regulations, just a patchwork of state-level laws. On the whole, companies in the United States are expected to police themselves and establish their own internal guardrails - while also being in relentless competition."

China proposes establishing the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) to coordinate international AI regulation. AI models possess powerful capabilities that could boost science and economic growth while also producing unpredictable failures and serious harms. Potential harms include exacerbating inequality, aiding criminality, and spreading mis- and disinformation, with some researchers warning of existential risk. The rapid development of AI has often prioritized competition, creating concerns about an economic bubble and inadequate attention to safety. The United States currently lacks national AI regulation and largely relies on state laws and corporate self-regulation, leaving gaps in global governance.

Read at Nature