, Aug. 1 -- Bangladesh has decided to join the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) initially as an observer, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday.

Headquartered in Shanghai, WAICO is an inter-governmental organization which was formed on July 16, 2026.

Its stated goals include, among other things, deepening international cooperation on innovation, promoting inclusive development by reducing global digital divide, supporting open, fair, and non-discriminatory environment for global AI development, and advancing AI regulations aiming to ensure that this new and evolving technology is beneficial and safe for humans.

On July 16, twenty-nine countries signed an agreement in Shanghai on establishing the...