Kristina Roberts
China has taken a big step in the world of technology. During a recent event in Shanghai, the Chinese government shared a new idea: they want to start a global organisation that will help different countries work together on Artificial Intelligence (AI). This proposal was made by Premier Li Qiang at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference. He explained that China is ready to share its progress in AI and help all countries benefit from this powerful technology.
Li Qiang spoke about how AI is growing very fast and changing many things in our lives. But he also warned that this change should not be controlled by just a few powerful countries. He said that some countries are trying to keep AI only for themselves, turning it into an “exclusive game.” Although he didn’t name the United States directly, it was clear that he was talking about Washington’s efforts to slow down China’s progress in this area.
Premier Li wants AI to be something that everyone in the world can use and benefit from. He said China is willing to share its experiences, technologies, and AI products with other nations, especially with developing countries. These are often referred to as the “Global South,” which includes countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and other parts of the southern hemisphere that may not have as many resources as rich nations.
Li Qiang also pointed out that right now, the rules and laws for how to manage AI are still “fragmented.” That means each country has its own way of dealing with AI, and there isn’t a common set of rules to follow. He believes that this is causing problems. There are also other challenges, like not having enough AI chips, and restrictions that stop talented people from different countries from working together.
“We should strengthen coordination to form a global AI governance framework that has broad consensus as soon as possible,” he said. His message was clear: the world needs to come together and make some shared rules about how AI should be used. These rules would help make sure that AI grows in a safe, fair, and balanced way.
This year’s three-day AI conference in Shanghai brought together many important people. Government leaders, big technology companies, scientists, and business investors came to discuss the future of AI. It’s no surprise that AI has become one of the main points of competition between the world’s two largest economies: China and the United States.
The U.S. government has already taken some serious steps. They have placed restrictions on the export of advanced technology to China. This includes powerful AI chips made by companies like Nvidia and important machines used to make computer chips. American officials say these actions are meant to stop China from using such technology to improve its military strength.
But even with these restrictions, China has kept moving forward in AI development. American leaders are watching these efforts very closely. China’s recent achievements in AI show that the country is still capable of building strong technology on its own.
At the same conference, China’s Vice Foreign Minister, Ma Zhaoxu, spoke to representatives from more than 30 different countries. These included Russia, Germany, South Africa, Qatar, and South Korea. Ma said that China is planning to create an organisation that will support cooperation in AI around the world. He even said that China is thinking about setting up this organisation’s headquarters in Shanghai.
To show they are serious, China’s foreign ministry also published an action plan online. This plan talks about how countries, international groups, companies, and universities can work together to build good rules and systems for using AI. The plan even suggests creating a special online community where people from different countries can share AI tools, ideas, and research freely.
China is clearly trying to offer a different path than the one being pushed by the U.S. While America is focused on keeping its lead in AI and limiting China’s access to certain technologies, China is focusing on cooperation, sharing, and building strong global partnerships. Whether this approach will work or not remains to be seen, but it is clear that China wants to be seen as a leader in AI.
Premier Li’s speech made it obvious that China is not only thinking about itself. Instead, the country wants to include others, especially smaller and developing countries, in the AI journey. “We are willing to share our development experience and products with other countries, particularly the Global South,” he said.
This message may appeal to many countries that feel left out of the current global tech system. If these nations come together and support China’s proposal, it could help build a fairer world when it comes to AI.
At the end of the day, AI is a powerful tool that can be used for good or bad. It can make our lives easier, help cure diseases, improve transportation, and more. But without clear and fair rules, there’s a risk that AI could be used in ways that hurt people or give too much power to only a few nations.
That’s why this proposal from China is important. It opens the door for more countries to have a say in how AI is developed and used. It also encourages working together, rather than competing all the time.
This is not just a battle over who has better machines or smarter software. It’s about who gets to decide how these tools shape our future. Will AI be something that only helps the rich and powerful? Or can it be shared fairly with the whole world?
Premier Li believes in the second choice. He hopes that by creating a global partnership, the future of AI will be more balanced, more equal, and more helpful for all. Time will tell if the rest of the world agrees.
