China has unveiled bold plans for a new global governance framework for artificial intelligence, positioning itself as the champion of multilateral cooperation just days after the U.S. announced a unilateral, low‑regulation AI action plan.
The announcement came during the opening of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, where Premier Li Qiang proposed the creation of a World AI CooperationOrganization headquartered in Shanghai to foster inclusive global alignment on AI rules.
Premier Li described the current state of AI governance as fragmented, warning that the technology risk becoming “an exclusive game for a few countries and companies.” He urged that AI development be framed as an “international public good” benefiting humanity as a whole.
In contrast, he challenged approaches that prioritize dominance, calling instead for open access, shared innovation, and equitable participation especially for nations in the Global South.
China’s initiative builds on its earlier Global AI Governance Initiative, launched in 2023, which emphasizes fairness, security, and inclusivity in AI policymaking. At this year’s conference, Beijing also introduced a detailed Global AI Governance Action Plan, outlining steps to coordinate national regulatory strategies, set technical standards, and promote open‑source collaboration in AI research and deployment.
The push comes shortly after the U.S. administration released a sweeping 28‑page AI ActionPlan, focused on removing red tape, accelerating innovation, and strengthening American leadership in the field prioritizing competition over cooperation.
Experts say this divergence underscores the deepening strategic rivalry between Beijing and Washington in shaping the future of AI systems. While the Chinese model favours shared governance, the U.S. strategy emphasizes deregulation and strategic dominance.
At the conference, representatives from over 40 countries and international organizations joined the platform debate. Prominent figures including former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and renowned AI developers voiced support for a multilateral approach and cautioned against the risks of technology being controlled by a limited few.
Notably, European envoys and experts praised China’s leadership call, framing it as a key step toward global consensus on AI ethics and regulation.
Despite China’s emphasis on inclusive governance, sceptics caution that operationalising such a global body will be challenging. There are questions around enforcement, jurisdiction, transparency, and how to reconcile divergent legal and policy systems among countries. Moreover, critics highlight that U.S. export controls on chips and talent, along with its resistance to some international regulatory efforts, may limit meaningful.
Nevertheless, Beijing says it is ready to cooperate with nations across the globe to build a shared AI framework grounded in openness, mutual respect, and collective benefits.
The proposed organization, if realized, could mark a turning point in global tech diplomacy setting the stage for a more inclusive, multilateral governance structure for artificial intelligence.
Written By Ian Maleve
