In a move that redefines China's position on the global technological chessboard, President Xi Jinping has presented a vision for Artificial Intelligence (AI) built on international cooperation and equitable access. Speaking at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, Xi emphasized that AI development should not be a "monopoly" of a single nation but a collective effort of the international community.
Focus on the Global South and New Alliances
Beijing's strategy is pivoting strongly toward developing nations. The Chinese president announced 5,000 training and seminar opportunities in AI for the Global South, aiming to bridge the technological divide. Simultaneously, China is strengthening ties with regional organizations such as ASEAN, the Arab League, and the African Union.
In this context, 29 countries signed an agreement to establish the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO). Headquartered in Shanghai, the new organization aims to shape a global governance framework to facilitate sector-wide cooperation.
Safety and Warnings Against Restrictions
Despite the call for openness, Xi set clear conditions for AI development, stressing that it must be safe, controllable, and under human supervision. However, he offered a veiled critique of U.S. policies, urging the international community to avoid "overextending the concept of national security" in a way that hinders technological progress.
The Impact on Technological Competition
These statements come during a period of intense pressure from U.S. export restrictions on semiconductors. While Nvidia struggles to offer competitive products in the Chinese market due to sanctions, domestic players are gaining ground. At the same conference, Huawei unveiled the Atlas 950 SuperPoD system, a platform designed to meet the needs of large data centers and advanced model training, demonstrating China's push for technological self-reliance.
