President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote address Friday at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, emphasizing a people-centred approach to technology [1].
The appearance marks a strategic effort by China to position itself as a leader in global AI governance, specifically targeting nations in the Global South. By promoting open access, Beijing aims to challenge the current dominance of Western tech frameworks and establish its own set of international rules.
Xi said during the opening ceremony that the development of artificial intelligence must prioritize the needs of people. "We must adhere to a people-centred approach to the development of artificial intelligence," Xi said [3].
This was the first time the president delivered a keynote address at the event [4]. He used the platform to advocate for a more inclusive distribution of technological power, arguing that the benefits of AI should not be concentrated among a small group of actors.
"AI should be for all, not just for a few, and China will continue to promote open access to AI technologies," Xi said [2].
Beyond the rhetoric of accessibility, the address served as the launchpad for a new AI-governance body. This initiative is designed to provide an alternative to existing frameworks, offering a path for developing nations to integrate AI into their infrastructure under Chinese guidance [1], [5].
Xi described the move as a necessary step for global equity. "This is my first appearance at the World AI Conference, and I am here to push forward a governance framework that serves the Global South," Xi said [4].
The conference took place July 17, 2026 [1], drawing international attention to Shanghai as a hub for the next generation of machine learning, and algorithmic oversight.
“"AI should be for all, not just for a few"”
By explicitly targeting the Global South with a rival governance body, China is attempting to pivot the global AI conversation from one of security and restriction to one of accessibility and development. This move seeks to build a coalition of nations dependent on Chinese AI standards, potentially creating a bifurcated global tech ecosystem where the Global South aligns with Beijing's 'people-centred' model rather than Western regulatory approaches.
