President Xi Jinping called for the development of secure and controllable artificial intelligence during a keynote speech at the World AI Conference in Shanghai [1].
The address signals China's intent to establish a new global order for AI governance. By promoting a multilateral framework, Beijing aims to counter U.S. restrictions on technology sharing and maintain its competitive edge in the global tech race [1], [2].
Xi said that AI development must not pose security risks to the state or the public. He said greater global cooperation is needed to ensure that the technology remains under a manageable framework of governance [1], [3]. This push for controllability reflects Beijing's strategy to integrate AI into its national infrastructure while mitigating the risks of unpredictable autonomous systems [2].
As part of this global outreach, China plans to provide developing countries with 5,000 opportunities in AI training and seminar programs [4]. This initiative is designed to pitch China as a primary partner for the developing world, offering an alternative to Western tech ecosystems [4].
The competition between the U.S. and China over AI and semiconductor technology has intensified in recent years. Xi's remarks highlight a desire to lead the international conversation on ethics and safety, a space currently dominated by U.S.-based firms and regulatory bodies [3], [5].
Xi said that the global community should work together to prevent the misuse of AI. He said that the goal is to create a system where technology serves the common good without compromising national security [1], [2].
“China will provide developing countries with 5,000 opportunities in AI training and seminar programs.”
Xi's emphasis on 'controllable' AI serves two purposes: it ensures the Chinese Communist Party maintains strict domestic oversight of generative technology and positions China as a benevolent leader for the Global South. By offering training to developing nations, Beijing is attempting to build a diplomatic bloc of AI-aligned states to offset U.S. export controls on high-end chips and software.
