Key facts
- Chinese President Xi Jinping called for global cooperation in AI development and governance.
- Xi Jinping positioned China as a leader in AI, challenging US influence and restrictions on technology sharing.
- China will expand AI cooperation with various international blocs, including ASEAN, the African Union, and BRICS.
- China will provide AI training and access to an AI meteorological tool to developing countries.
- A new World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, headquartered in Shanghai, was established with 29 signatory countries.
- Chinese AI startups are releasing large open-source models, seen as appealing and affordable alternatives to US models.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is positioning China as a global leader in artificial intelligence, advocating for international cooperation while challenging US influence and technological restrictions. Speaking at Shanghai's World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), Xi called for AI development to be a "symphony of global cooperation" rather than a "solo performance" by any single nation.
Xi reiterated China's opposition to the "overstretching" of national security concepts in AI, a longstanding complaint against US-led restrictions that have limited China's access to advanced technologies. He promised to expand AI cooperation with blocs including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the African Union, and BRICS countries. China will also provide access to its AI meteorological tool to 30 countries and offer 5,000 AI training opportunities to developing nations over the next five years, aiming to prevent "historical injustice in AI."
Ahead of the conference, 29 countries signed an agreement with China to establish the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, headquartered in Shanghai. This organization is viewed by analysts as China's response to the US-led Pax Silica initiative, which focuses on supply chain collaboration with US allies. China's push for open-source AI models, such as those from DeepSeek and Moonshot, is seen as an appealing and more affordable alternative for developing countries compared to largely closed-source US models.
Despite China's advancements and emphasis on open-source AI, US politicians and major AI companies have accused Chinese models of illicitly distilling US technologies. Chinese officials dismiss these claims as "groundless," while US policymakers express concerns about China's AI posing an economic threat.