China Proposes Global AI Cooperation Amid Rising Tech Rivalry with the US

During the annual World Artificial Intelligence Conference held in Shanghai, China expressed its desire to create an organization aimed at promoting international collaboration on artificial intelligence (AI). Premier Li Qiang articulated the goal of coordinating global efforts to regulate rapidly evolving AI technologies and showcase China's developments in the field, effectively positioning the country as a counterweight to the United States, which is also seeking to assert its influence in this transformative domain.

Li refrained from directly naming the United States, but he alluded to its attempts to hinder China's AI progress, cautioning that the technology could become an "exclusive game" played by a select few nations and corporations. He underscored China's commitment to ensuring open access to AI technologies and equal rights for all countries and firms to leverage these advancements, particularly focusing on support for the Global South, which includes developing and emerging nations.

Additionally, Li raised concerns about the regulatory challenges posed by AI's rapid growth, mentioning issues such as insufficient supplies of AI chips and barriers to talent exchange. He pointed out the disjointed nature of global AI governance, which varies widely among nations, particularly regarding regulatory frameworks and institutional practices. Li stressed the importance of enhancing collaboration to establish a comprehensive global governance structure for AI that reflects a wide consensus as soon as possible.

The three-day conference gathered industry leaders and policymakers, highlighting the escalating technological rivalry between China and the United States, the world's two largest economies, with AI becoming a crucial area of competition.