In a significant development for global AI governance, Pakistan has joined 28 other nations as a founding member of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO). The signing ceremony took place in Shanghai on July 16, 2026, establishing WAICO as a China-led independent intergovernmental organization headquartered in the city.
This move comes amid intensifying global competition in artificial intelligence, raising questions about whether Pakistan’s participation signals a deeper technological alignment with China or a pragmatic step toward diversifying its international partnerships.
Pakistan’s involvement aligns closely with its enduring strategic and economic relationship with China. The two countries have collaborated extensively through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), telecom infrastructure, and digital projects. AI cooperation represents a logical evolution of this alliance.
Waqas Anjum, Head of AI and Digitalization in Education at ACME, emphasized that the decision should be viewed in this broader context:
“Pakistan’s decision to become a founding member of WAICO should not be interpreted as a choice of Chinese AI over American AI. Rather, it reflects Pakistan’s broader strategic objective of diversifying its technological partnerships while strengthening its long-standing relationship with China.”
Pakistan sees WAICO as an opportunity to gain access to knowledge transfer, training programs, and joint research initiatives—critical elements for developing its domestic AI capabilities.
Opportunities for Pakistan
Membership in WAICO is expected to deliver tangible benefits tailored to Pakistan’s needs:
▪️Education and Human Capital Development: Internships, academic exchanges, and collaborative R&D projects to build local expertise.
▪️Applied AI Solutions: Deployment in key sectors such as agriculture (for precision farming and crop monitoring), healthcare (diagnostic tools and resource management), and public administration (e-governance and service delivery).
▪️Linguistic Inclusion: Development of AI models supporting Urdu and other regional languages, making advanced technologies more accessible to Pakistan’s population.
By participating as a founding member, Pakistan also secures a seat at the table in shaping international AI norms, standards, and governance frameworks, particularly those addressing the needs of developing nations and the Global South.
Pakistani officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who attended the signing, have stressed the importance of inclusive AI governance, capacity building, technology transfer, and bridging the global AI divide. Pakistan maintains that WAICO membership does not preclude cooperation with the United States, Europe, or other partners.
This “multi-alignment” approach allows Islamabad to leverage multiple sources of technology and investment while deepening ties with its most reliable partner.
Despite the opportunities, success hinges on domestic factors. As Anjum noted, the primary risks are internal: Pakistan must invest in building its own competencies, establish robust regulatory frameworks, and ensure effective implementation of AI initiatives. Data sovereignty, ethical governance, and avoiding over-dependence remain key concerns.
Pakistan’s founding membership in WAICO underscores a broader trend: middle powers are actively engaging in emerging multipolar institutions to advance their development goals. For Pakistan, WAICO represents both continuity in its China partnership and a platform for technological leapfrogging.
Whether this evolves into a full technological pivot or remains a balanced strategic diversification will depend on how effectively Pakistan translates membership into concrete outcomes for its economy, society, and global standing. In the rapidly evolving AI landscape, proactive engagement like this positions Pakistan to shape and benefit from the future of international cooperation.
