China has proposed for global artificial intelligence governance during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, the Financial Times reports. In his address at the event, Chinese Premier Li Qiang (shown above) called for greater international cooperation and warned against monopolisation of the technology, noting that AI risks becoming “an exclusive game for a few countries and companies” if efforts aren’t made to foster inclusivity and shared development.
Without naming specific countries, Li criticised the formation of “technological monopolies” and pushed for the establishment of a new “world AI cooperation organisation” that would help guide international development and regulation of AI. His remarks come amid ongoing tensions with the United States, which has imposed export restrictions on advanced AI chips to China, which have forced companies like NVIDIA to produce special chipsets tailored for the Chinese market in order to comply with US regulations.
Li’s speech also came days after the US unveiled its AI Action Plan under the Trump administration. The aforementioned policy prioritises minimal government interference in the sector and highlights the US’s ambition to maintain a competitive lead over China in AI innovation.
During his WAIC speech, Li reiterated China’s commitment to open-source AI and its willingness to share technological advancements with developing countries, particularly in the Global South. He added that the country is willing to provide more of its solutions to the international community.
“Countries have great differences, particularly in terms of areas such as regulatory concepts [and] institutional rules,” Li said. “We should strengthen coordination to form a global AI governance framework that has broad consensus as soon as possible.”
(Source: Financial Times / Reuters)
