China Proposes Global AI Governance Body Amidst US Tensions

By lucasfernandez, World Today News

At the prestigious World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) held in Shanghai, Chinese Premier Li Qiang put forth a meaningful proposal: the establishment of an international institution dedicated to coordinating the development and safety of artificial intelligence.Premier Li cautioned against AI becoming an “exclusive game” controlled by a select few nations or corporations, stressing the urgent need for societal consensus on balancing AI’s rapid advancement with robust security measures. He characterized AI as a “new engine for growth” during his address.

This initiative from China arrives shortly after US President Donald Trump unveiled a strategy for AI that prioritizes deregulation and aims to address concerns about “woke” AI models.In stark contrast, China’s outlined approach champions open-source development, fosters cooperation with countries in the global south, and underscores the critical importance of ethical and secure progress in the AI domain.

Artificial intelligence has increasingly become a focal point of geopolitical competition, particularly between the United States and China. Washington has implemented export restrictions on advanced chips and related technologies, a move that Premier Li alluded to without directly naming the US. He highlighted AI chip shortages and talent restrictions as significant obstacles, warning against the potential weaponization of AI through technological monopolies and isolationist policies.

The WAIC conference itself attracted prominent figures in the AI field, including Geoffrey Hinton, widely recognized as the “godfather of AI,” former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, and France’s special envoy for AI, Anne Bouverot. While Elon Musk was notably absent this year, major global tech giants such as Tesla, Alphabet Inc., and Amazon shared the exhibition space with leading Chinese companies including Huawei, Alibaba Group,and Unitree. This diverse participation underscored AI’s pivotal role in shaping the future of global industry and international diplomacy.