President Xi Jinping said artificial intelligence should not be dominated by a single country.

Delivering a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai on Friday, Xi appealed for global cooperation on AI development.

"AI development should not be a solo performance by a single country, but a symphony of international cooperation," he said.

"We should put in place laws and regulations, technological monitoring, early warning, and emergency response systems, in order to ensure AI is always under human control."

Xi said the world has entered an unprecedentedly vigorous period of innovation in AI technologies, bringing great opportunities and governance challenges, and humanity must answer the questions of the times.

He raised questions about how humans can get along with thinking machines, how security can be ensured when algorithms are involved in decision-making, how ethical challenges posed by technologies can be tackled through adaptive governance, and how AI for all can be realised when the divide keeps widening.

Xi said these questions demand serious consideration and answers from the international community.

The president also highlighted the importance of a "people-centred" approach to the development of AI technology.

He spoke about China's role in ensuring equity of access to AI capacity building for developing countries in order to prevent the creation of "new historical injustices" in AI, announcing Beijing's plans to cooperate with numerous international bodies to provide AI-related opportunities.

China will provide developing countries with 5,000 opportunities for AI training and seminars over the next five years, Xi said.

He said China will develop international AI application cooperation centres with Asean, the League of Arab States, the African Union, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and Brics.

Beijing will help 30 countries utilise the AI-powered MAZU meteorological early warning system to protect people's lives and property around the world, Xi added.

The president also announced the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, an independent intergovernmental international group headquartered in Shanghai.

"This is a major step by China to respond to the call of the Global South, unite the international community, and actively promote the development and governance of AI – it will stand as an important milestone in the history of AI development," he said.

The organisation aims to promote international cooperation and global governance on AI, ensuring that AI is beneficial, safe and fair, thereby promoting its healthy and orderly development to benefit all humanity.

The four-day conference draws more than 1,000 of China's tech firms together with officials, researchers and industry figures.

Around 3,000 products are on display, from powerful semiconductor systems for AI computing to a smartphone that can autonomously operate apps.

Analysts said Chinese AI models are catching up to the most powerful US offerings, while attracting global users with lower costs. (Xinhua & agencies)
_____________________________
Last updated: 2026-07-17 HKT 13:42




Edited by Edmond Fong