The 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and High-Level Meeting on AI Global Governance (2026 WAIC) commenced in Shanghai on July 17. During the main forum, the National Development and Reform Commission, in collaboration with relevant departments, released the "China's Intelligence, Benefiting the World (2026)" case collection. The international expansion project of leading autonomous driving technology company WeRide Inc. (WRD.US, 00800) into the United Arab Emirates was selected as one of the top ten cases for international cooperation in artificial intelligence technology and products within this collection, making it the only autonomous driving enterprise to receive this recognition.
2026 WAIC Showcases Leading AI Collaboration Projects
The National Development and Reform Commission has been publishing the "China's Intelligence, Benefiting the World" case collection annually since 2024, now for three consecutive years. This initiative selects AI international cooperation projects that demonstrate tangible results and serve as exemplary models. This year's ten selected cases cover a broader range of regions and countries, focusing on a richer variety of "AI+" cooperation scenarios. They collectively illustrate the deep integration of Chinese artificial intelligence with the practical needs of various nations, showcasing China's wisdom and solutions in empowering global development through AI.
This focus aligns with the central theme of the 2026 WAIC, which is to promote global AI collaboration. On July 16, just before the conference opened, the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization was established in Shanghai, with 29 countries becoming founding members. This organization aims to establish a long-term multilateral cooperation mechanism to foster international AI collaboration and global governance.
WeRide's UAE Project: A Benchmark for Global AI Integration
The significance of WeRide Inc.'s UAE project lies in its successful integration of China's L4-level autonomous driving technology into a foreign city's transportation ecosystem, providing a benchmark example of how Chinese AI can contribute to local traffic upgrades. Its selection into the case collection reflects both the project's operational success and demonstrative value in the local market, as well as the leading position of China's autonomous driving sector in global industrial cooperation.
Today, WeRide Inc.'s Robotaxi service is operating commercially without human drivers in the two major emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Local users can hail a Robotaxi directly through the Uber platform, making WeRide Inc. the only company outside the United States to offer a fully driverless Robotaxi service on Uber. Over the past year, the company's large-scale autonomous driving operations in the UAE have entered an accelerated phase.
In October 2025, WeRide Inc. officially entered its third UAE emirate, Ras Al Khaimah, initiating a Robotaxi trial service. The following month, the company secured the world's first city-level L4 autonomous driving commercial license issued outside the United States. It subsequently launched the Middle East's first fully driverless Robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi, which now covers approximately 70% of the emirate's core areas. In December 2025, WeRide Inc.'s Robotaxi service commenced public operations in Dubai, transitioning to fully driverless commercial operations in February 2026.
Expanding a Global Footprint in Autonomous Mobility
Exemplified by the UAE project, WeRide Inc. has developed comprehensive global capabilities encompassing technology adaptation, regulatory compliance, and commercial operations, enabling it to integrate autonomous driving into urban transportation systems across diverse markets. Presently, the company's autonomous driving products have been deployed in over 40 cities across 12 countries. Its product portfolio holds autonomous driving licenses in eight countries, and its global L4 fleet exceeds 3,000 vehicles.
Beyond the UAE, WeRide Inc. has also launched public Robotaxi operations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore. It is further expanding into cities such as Madrid, Spain, and Zurich, Switzerland, continuously broadening its global presence across multiple regions, products, and scenarios. Looking ahead, WeRide Inc. will continue to promote the large-scale deployment of autonomous driving in cities worldwide, providing safe, stable, and sustainable operational services to support local traffic upgrades. The company aims to enable Chinese AI to continuously create value in the real world, offering more practical examples for technological inclusivity and mutually beneficial cooperation.
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