As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly transforms societies and economies, governments worldwide face a common challenge: how to harness the immense potential of this technology while managing growing risks. During the opening of the 2026 World AI Conference (WAIC) and the High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai, Chinese President Xi Jinping presented a comprehensive set of proposals aimed at advancing a more inclusive and coordinated structure for global AI governance.
Xi Jinping outlined ways to strengthen AI capabilities in developing countries and initiated the creation of a World Organization for AI Cooperation. Many international observers view this as a highly practical approach to ensuring that the benefits of AI are accessible to all of humanity.
One of the central theses of Xi Jinping's speech was that the benefits of AI must be distributed among all nations, especially developing countries that risk falling behind in the new technological revolution. Sengdeun Sayasone, Deputy Chairman of the Laos-China Cooperation Committee, noted that Xi's remarks reflect China's deep strategic vision and responsibility as a major global power, emphasizing that China is consistently putting this vision into action.
John Tsingseki, Chairman of the Zambia Cybersecurity Initiative Fund, stated that Xi's address came at a crucial moment for the international community. He noted that the president's speech directly responds to calls for unified efforts so that AI can better serve humanity, promoting AI integration and exploring ways to use the technology to solve common global problems.
Experts pointed out that China's proposal to establish a World Organization for AI Cooperation is a decisive step toward forming a representative, consensus-based architecture for international governance. Andrei Dostal, a Member of the European Parliament, stressed that such a centralized international body is necessary to overcome the fragmented and disparate approaches to AI regulation currently existing.
Dostal insisted on the importance of this initiative, arguing that a single organization could foster broad international cooperation in developing universal standards. This would ensure the peaceful and productive application of AI, as well as provide a vital platform for interaction among leading experts in advanced technologies.
International specialists also emphasized that Xi's speech highlighted the significance of international cooperation in addressing both the opportunities and risks associated with AI. Vince Henderson, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of Dominica, noting China's sustained leadership in this area, stated that the global community urgently needs such guidelines, especially in managing the multifaceted risks related to AI adoption.
Henderson added that over the past three years, China has consistently advocated within the United Nations for a stronger and more effective system of international AI governance. He also mentioned that Beijing actively encourages governments to partner with the private sector to develop ethical norms, protect privacy, and ensure technological security for the benefit of all.
The international scientific and professional community shares this vision of shared scientific progress. Turing Award laureate Gill Brassard described Xi's speech as extremely inspiring, noting that it clearly defines an actionable direction for strengthening international cooperation. Brassard added that collaboration is vital not only in artificial intelligence but in all scientific fields.
Tatiana Shmolrack, Managing Director for Greater China at the British Standards Institution, reiterated that the key takeaway is the responsible assurance of human well-being through technological innovation. She stated that achieving this ultimate goal requires joint efforts and unhindered cooperation, with Global South countries participating in shaping global AI governance on equal footing with developed economies.
This view is shared by German scientist Max Müllerhauser from the Technical University of Darmstadt, who noted that Xi's vision perfectly aligns with the current reality of managing technological risks. Müllerhauser concluded that AI represents both the greatest opportunity for our era's development and a repository of enormous risks, making effective governance a necessary condition, and he hopes that more world leaders will embrace the same spirit of cooperation.
Last Friday, Xi Jinping positioned Beijing as a defender of a new world order in the field of artificial intelligence. During a prestigious Chinese technology conference, he actively promoted open-source technologies and challenged US influence regarding the regulation of this rapidly evolving industry.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, Xi called on countries to take advantage of the 'rare and historic opportunity' of open AI. He also pledged support to developing nations in advancing AI capabilities, warning against the threat of 'new historical injustices' due to unequal access to this technology.
These statements represented the clearest articulation of China's ambitions to shape global AI governance. Xi presented his open-source models as a public good for the entire world, positioning Beijing as an alternative to Washington at a critical juncture in the race for technological leadership.
Comparing the significance of AI to the invention of the steam engine and electricity, Xi outlined his vision wherein China would share AI technologies and experience with Global South nations while leading global efforts to establish standards for this new technology. His initiative with the AI coalition was presented as a competitor to the international initiative led by the US, known as 'Pax Silica,' aimed at securing global AI supply chains and critical minerals, although Xi avoided direct mention of Washington.
Xi's comments came amid the rapid progress of Chinese open-weight AI models against the proprietary systems of American companies such as OpenAI and Anthropic. On Friday, the Beijing-based startup Moonshot AI unveiled Kimi K3, which was named the largest open-source AI model by parameter count. This occurred a month after the US government abruptly withdrew advanced Anthropic AI models due to safety concerns.
Furthermore, Xi insisted that AI systems must remain under human control, urging countries to create early warning and emergency response mechanisms to manage AI risks. He also emphasized the need for measures to prevent loss-of-control scenarios, warning about the dangers of autonomous AI systems that might evade human oversight and control.
Xi stated that the China AI Cooperation Organization, established in China and adopted by 29 member states on Thursday, marks a 'milestone in the development of global AI' and meets the demands of Global South countries for more active participation in AI governance. Moreover, Xi announced that China would provide AI training and develop AI cooperation centers with BRICS, ASEAN, Latin America, and the African Union countries, thereby aligning China's diplomatic initiatives in AI with major Global South blocs where China already holds significant influence.
George Chen, Head of Digital Practice at the consulting firm The Asia Group, noted: 'Xi's message is clear: China does not intend to follow anyone, neither in AI technologies nor in standards. Instead, China intends to lead the world in both aspects.' He added that Xi's message is a statement that can also be viewed as a warning—China will not allow anyone to dictate how it uses AI.
The event, running from July 17 to 20, takes place against the backdrop of Washington and Beijing preparing for the first bilateral government-level negotiations on AI under the administration of US President Donald Trump. This transforms WAIC from an industry exhibition into an early test of how China plans to compete for influence in global AI regulatory rules. Last week, the two powers presented competing concepts during the UN AI dialogue, where US representatives argued that excessive regulation could slow innovation, while China promoted its low-cost open-source models as a tool to reduce global inequality in AI access.
