Key facts
- Chinese President Xi Jinping is positioning China as a leader in global AI governance.
- He advocated for open-source AI technology and offered to help developing nations.
- Xi warned against unequal access to AI creating "new historical injustices."
- China's open-source models are seen as a challenge to U.S. influence and proprietary systems.
- The World AI Cooperation Organisation (WAICO) was launched with 29 member countries.
- China plans to provide AI training and develop cooperation centers with various global blocs.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has articulated China's ambition to shape global AI governance, positioning Beijing as a champion of open-source technology and a partner for developing nations. Speaking at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, Xi urged countries to embrace open-source AI, framing it as a historic opportunity and a global public good. He pledged to help developing countries build AI capabilities, warning against the emergence of "new historical injustices" due to unequal access.
Xi's remarks challenge U.S. influence in the rapidly evolving AI sector, presenting China's approach as an alternative to Washington's. His vision includes sharing AI technology and expertise with the Global South and leading global efforts to establish standards for the emerging technology. This initiative is seen as a rival to the U.S.-led "Pax Silica" effort focused on securing AI and critical mineral supply chains.
The speech comes as Chinese open-weight AI models are gaining ground against proprietary systems from U.S. companies like OpenAI and Anthropic. Beijing-based startup Moonshot AI recently unveiled Kimi K3, its largest open AI model by parameter count. Xi also emphasized the importance of maintaining human control over AI systems and establishing early-warning mechanisms for managing AI risks.
The newly formed World AI Cooperation Organisation (WAICO), with 29 member countries, was highlighted by Xi as a milestone in global AI development, responding to demands from Global South nations for greater participation in AI governance. China plans to further its AI diplomacy through training programs and cooperation centers with BRICS, ASEAN, and other blocs.
Analysts suggest Xi's message signals China's intent to lead in both AI technology and standards, rather than follow. The WAIC gathering is viewed as a significant platform for China to assert its influence, especially as the U.S. and China prepare for their first government-level AI talks under the Trump administration. The two nations have presented competing visions at the UN, with the U.S. cautioning against excessive regulation and China promoting its open-source models.