China has announced plans to create an international organization to promote global cooperation in artificial intelligence, a move seen as a sign that Beijing wants to take an alternative leadership position in the transformative technology as it competes with the United States.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang made the announcement Saturday at the World Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Shanghai. He said China intends to participate in the global regulation of the rapidly developing artificial intelligence technology and share its achievements with other countries.
"Artificial intelligence should not become a monopoly of just a few countries and companies," Li said, without naming names but referring to restrictions imposed by the United States on China's technological development.
Li Keqiang added that China wants the use of artificial intelligence to be open to all countries and companies with equal rights and is particularly willing to share its experience and products with countries in the "Global South." The "Global South" refers to mainly developing or low-income countries.
The US-China AI Competition
Washington this week unveiled a new strategy document on AI, expressing its intention to expand exports of US technologies to allies and maintain its dominance in the field.
China’s initiative highlights the fragmented nature of global governance on AI. Li said there are significant differences between countries in terms of regulatory principles and institutional approaches. “A unified global governance framework should be formed based on a broader consensus,” he said.
Organization may be headquartered in Shanghai
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu said the organization’s goal would be to promote pragmatic cooperation in the field of AI and that Shanghai is being considered for its headquarters.
At a roundtable with representatives from more than 30 countries, including Russia, South Africa, Qatar, South Korea and Germany, China presented an action plan for global governance on AI and called on governments, international organizations and research institutions to cooperate.
