Chinese President Xi Jinping has set out China’s vision for a new global artificial intelligence order, positioning Beijing as a leader in AI governance while challenging US influence over the sector.
Speaking at the opening of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai on Friday, Xi called on countries to embrace open-source AI and pledged support for developing nations to strengthen their AI capabilities.
He urged governments to seize the “historic opportunity” presented by open-source AI and warned against unequal access to the technology, saying it could create “new historical injustices”.
Xi described AI as a transformative technology on the scale of the steam engine and electricity. He said China was ready to share AI technology and expertise with countries across the Global South while taking a leading role in developing international standards for the rapidly evolving sector.
The speech marked Xi’s clearest statement yet on China’s ambition to shape global AI governance. It also presented Beijing’s approach as an alternative to US-led efforts to influence AI rules and critical technology supply chains.
Chinese state media has increasingly portrayed the country’s AI strategy as a response to what it describes as a US-led attempt to build an “AI Iron Curtain”.
The conference also highlighted the rapid progress of Chinese AI developers. Beijing-based startup Moonshot AI unveiled Kimi K3, which it described as the world’s largest open AI model by parameter count.
Earlier this month, Reuters reported that Beijing was considering restrictions on overseas access to some of China’s leading AI models, reflecting tensions between its promotion of open-source AI and national security priorities.
Xi also stressed the importance of keeping AI under human control. He called on countries to establish early-warning and emergency-response systems to manage AI risks and guard against autonomous AI systems that could escape human oversight.
China will provide AI training and establish AI cooperation centres with BRICS, ASEAN, Latin American and African Union countries, Xi said, strengthening its AI partnerships across the Global South.
His remarks came a day after the launch of the China-created World AI Cooperation Organisation (WAICO), which has 29 member countries. Xi described the organisation as a “milestone in the history of world AI development” and said it responded to demands from Global South nations for greater participation in AI governance.
Analysts said the speech reinforced China’s determination to shape the future of AI rather than follow standards set elsewhere.
“You’ve got the leader of the second most powerful country in the world, a country that’s still posting real technological gains despite everything going on with the U.S., standing up and laying out China’s view on AI,” said Alfredo Montufar-Helu, managing director at Ankura China Advisors.
“Xi’s message is clear: China is not going to follow anyone on both AI technology and standards. Instead, China is going to lead the world in both aspects,” said George Chen, chair in digital practice at The Asia Group, a consultancy.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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