President Xi Jinping said artificial intelligence must remain controllable by humans and should not be dominated by a single nation [1].
This stance highlights the growing tension between global superpowers as they race to lead in AI development. By calling for shared oversight, China is positioning itself as a proponent of multilateral governance to counter the potential for a technological monopoly [1, 2].
Speaking at the World AI Conference in Shanghai, Xi said that the trajectory of AI development requires a collaborative global approach [1, 2]. He said that international cooperation is essential to ensure the technology serves the common good rather than the interests of one state [2].
"AI must be controllable by humans," Xi said [1]. This focus on controllability suggests a priority on safety and oversight to prevent autonomous systems from operating outside of human direction [1, 2].
Xi said that the concentration of AI power is a risk. "We must not allow AI to be dominated by one country; international cooperation is essential," he said [2].
The call for cooperation comes as nations grapple with the ethical implications of generative AI and the strategic advantages of advanced computing. Xi's remarks suggest that China views the risk of a single-nation monopoly as a threat to global stability, a move that encourages other nations to align with a more distributed model of AI leadership [1, 2].
“"AI must be controllable by humans."”
Xi's emphasis on 'controllability' and the prevention of a single-nation monopoly reflects China's strategic goal to challenge U.S. leadership in AI. By framing the issue as a matter of international cooperation and safety, China aims to build a coalition of countries that may fear U.S. dominance, while simultaneously asserting its own right to develop AI under strict state-led human oversight.
