Xi Jinping to Deliver Keynote at 2026 World AI Conference in Shanghai

President Xi Jinping is set to attend the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) and the High-Level Conference on Global AI Governance in Shanghai. Scheduled for July 17–20, the event will feature a keynote address by Xi, as announced by the Foreign Ministry on July 13. This high-level participation signals China's intent to lead international discussions on AI safety and regulatory frameworks, building upon its previously proposed Global AI Governance Initiative and positioning the country as a primary architect of emerging technology norms.

The personal attendance and keynote address by President Xi Jinping signals that AI governance remains at the very top of China's national and diplomatic agenda, positioning the country as a central player in defining the rules for emerging technologies.

President Xi Jinping is scheduled to attend the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) and the High-Level Conference on Global AI Governance, where he will deliver a keynote address. The announcement, made by a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 13, confirms that the dual-track event will be held in Shanghai from July 17 to July 20, 2026. The inclusion of a "High-Level Conference on Global AI Governance" alongside the established WAIC platform reflects Beijing's increasing focus on the normative and regulatory aspects of artificial intelligence. While WAIC has historically served as a showcase for commercial and technical achievements, the addition of a high-level governance track suggests an effort to institutionalize China's role in setting international standards for the technology. This move follows the 2023 launch of China's Global AI Governance Initiative, which advocated for a "people-centered" approach and emphasized the importance of national sovereignty in AI development. By having the head of state deliver the keynote, the Chinese government is signaling that AI policy is not merely a technical or economic issue, but a core pillar of national strategy and foreign policy. The timing of the conference in mid-2026 will likely serve as a milestone for assessing China's progress in its "AI Plus" initiative and its ability to foster international cooperation amid ongoing geopolitical tensions regarding semiconductor access and data security. Observers will be looking for specific policy signals in Xi's speech, particularly regarding the balance between rapid innovation and the "security" requirements often emphasized by Chinese regulators. The event is expected to draw a mix of domestic tech giants, international researchers, and foreign government representatives, though the exact roster of attendees has not yet been disclosed. The focus on "global governance" suggests that China will continue to push for a United Nations-centered framework for AI oversight, potentially seeking to build a coalition among developing nations to influence global norms.