By 
China has unveiled a proposal to establish an international artificial intelligence (AI) cooperation organization, calling for a unified global framework to manage the opportunities and risks presented by rapidly advancing AI technologies.
The initiative was announced by Chinese Premier Li Qiang during the opening of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, a major three-day global tech forum that convenes government officials, researchers, and industry leaders from around the world.
Describing AI as a “new engine for growth,” Li emphasized the urgent need for international coordination to ensure responsible development. “The risks and challenges brought by artificial intelligence have drawn widespread attention,” he said. “How to find a balance between development and security urgently requires further consensus from the entire society.”
Li underscored that current global AI governance remains fragmented, lacking the coherence necessary to address its far-reaching societal and ethical implications. As part of China’s vision, he proposed an AI governance platform headquartered in Shanghai to facilitate international dialogue, promote safety standards, and foster inclusive innovation through open-source tools and shared policy frameworks.
The proposal includes a 13-point action plan that promotes collaboration through the United Nations and aims to support infrastructure development—such as cloud computing systems and data hubs—particularly in under-resourced regions. China’s initiative also seeks to ensure that AI development remains a cooperative global effort, not one monopolized by a few dominant powers.
The timing of China’s announcement stands in contrast to a recent executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump, which aims to deregulate the U.S. AI sector. The order reflects Washington’s ambition to cement technological dominance through a strategy labeled “patriotic AI,” with reduced emphasis on regulatory or ethical safeguards. The White House also criticized what it termed “woke AI,” suggesting that excessive ethical constraints could hinder innovation.
Although Li did not directly mention the U.S., he warned against the concentration of AI power in the hands of a few countries or corporations and highlighted challenges such as restricted access to AI chips and limited international talent mobility—an implicit reference to U.S. export controls on advanced semiconductors and chipmaking equipment.
In contrast to the American approach, China’s proposal advocates multilateralism, open collaboration, and AI safety. Li Qiang stated China’s readiness to share its AI achievements with developing countries, positioning Beijing as a leader in shaping a global AI regulatory landscape rooted in inclusivity and equitable access.
The 2025 WAIC highlighted China’s growing influence in the AI space, drawing participation from over 800 companiesand showcasing more than 3,000 AI innovations, including 40 large language models, 50 advanced devices, and 60 humanoid robots. Chinese tech giants like Huawei, Alibaba, and Unitree featured prominently, alongside global players such as Tesla, Alphabet, and Amazon.
Notably absent from this year’s conference was Elon Musk, a past WAIC speaker. Keynote addresses were delivered by prominent figures including Geoffrey Hinton, widely recognized as the “godfather of AI,” former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, and Anne Bouverot, France’s special envoy on AI.
The event also spotlighted growing concerns over AI’s impact on employment, media, and information ecosystems. Recent studies suggesting that AI-generated summaries could significantly reduce traffic to news outlets have raised alarms over the sustainability of journalism and other content-based industries.
As global tensions rise over the pace and direction of AI development, China’s call for structured global governance stands in stark contrast to the U.S.’s deregulation-first strategy. While Washington bets on accelerated innovation through minimal oversight, Beijing seeks to lead a more coordinated, security-conscious approach to AI—a divergence that could shape the future of technological leadership and ethics on the world stage.
Comments