President Xi Jinping called for global cooperation on artificial intelligence during a keynote speech at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai on July 17 [1].
The address signals China's intent to position itself as a leader in AI governance while challenging the concentration of technological power within a single nation. As competition with the U.S. grows, the focus on "controllable" AI reflects both domestic security priorities and a strategic push for international influence.
Xi emphasized the need for a collaborative framework to ensure the technology benefits humanity. He said that the global community must adopt a people-centered approach to AI development [2]. This perspective suggests a shift toward prioritizing societal welfare, and accessibility, over purely commercial or military interests.
Security and oversight were central themes of the speech. Xi said, "We need secure and controllable artificial intelligence" [3]. The call for controllability underscores the Chinese government's commitment to maintaining strict regulatory oversight of AI systems to prevent instability or misuse.
Beyond security, the Chinese leader addressed the geopolitical landscape of tech development. He said that the future of the industry should not be dictated by one power. "AI should not be dominated by a single country," Xi said [4].
The conference in Shanghai served as a platform to promote China's commitment to AI access. By advocating for shared development, the administration seeks to build a coalition of nations that prefer a multilateral approach to AI standards, rather than one dictated by Western interests [1].
“"AI should not be dominated by a single country."”
Xi Jinping's rhetoric highlights a strategic effort to frame China as a champion of 'AI democratization' to attract global partners. By emphasizing that no single country should dominate the field, China is directly challenging U.S. technological hegemony while simultaneously reinforcing its own domestic requirement that AI remains under state control.
