China Seeks Global AI Control, Challenges U.S. with New Organization

Chinese President Xi Jinping has articulated a vision for global artificial intelligence governance, urging international collaboration while asserting China's ambition to lead in shaping the future of AI. Speaking at an AI conference in Shanghai, Xi warned of AI's risks and stressed the necessity of maintaining human control over the technology.

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To prevent us from losing control, we need to shift focus from reactive crisis management to proactive and continuous governance.

"To prevent us from losing control, we need to shift focus from reactive crisis management to proactive and continuous governance," Xi stated, advocating for a directional approach to AI development. He emphasized that AI's progress should not undermine global diversity or the unique characteristics of different cultures, highlighting the United Nations' crucial role in establishing new AI regulations and standards.

Xi's remarks followed the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), launched in Shanghai with 29 member nations including Russia, Brazil, and Indonesia. Xi hailed the organization as a "milestone" in AI history, positioning it as a platform for China to influence global AI standards and potentially challenge U.S. leadership in the field.

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We often say in China that a single string does not make music, and a single tree does not make a forest.

"We often say in China that a single string does not make music, and a single tree does not make a forest," Xi remarked, drawing an analogy to underscore the need for collective effort. He called for comprehensive international cooperation, particularly to assist developing nations in bridging the digital divide and preventing the emergence of new historical injustices. The initiative signals China's strategic move to gain a significant voice in the global AI landscape, moving beyond a solo performance by any single nation towards a collaborative symphony.

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