Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the 2026 World AI Conference in Shanghai to deliver a keynote address [1].
The appearance marks a significant escalation in China's efforts to lead global artificial intelligence governance and showcase its domestic technological progress. By centering the summit on state leadership, Beijing signals that AI development is now a primary pillar of its national security and economic strategy.
Xi's presence at the event on July 17, 2026 [2] represents the first time he has attended this flagship AI summit [3]. During the proceedings, the president signed an international AI-cooperation statement intended to formalize partnerships on the development and regulation of the technology [1].
The event served as a platform for China to promote its vision of AI cooperation. Xi's keynote focused on the progress of the sector and the necessity of a coordinated international approach to managing the risks and rewards of machine learning.
Reports indicate that UN Secretary-General António Guterres attended the AI cooperation signing ceremony alongside Xi [1]. However, other reports of the summit did not list the UN chief as a participant.
The conference took place in Shanghai, where the president also used the visit to meet with representatives from the BRICS bank [4]. These meetings underscore a broader effort to align technological advancement with emerging financial and political blocs.
China continues to elevate its tech push as it competes with other global powers for dominance in generative AI and semiconductor capabilities. The 2026 conference highlights the shift from purely commercial AI development to a state-led initiative designed to ensure ideological and strategic control over the technology [1].
“Xi's presence at the event represents the first time he has attended this flagship AI summit.”
Xi Jinping's first-ever appearance at the World AI Conference signals that China is moving beyond treating AI as a commercial industry and is now framing it as a core instrument of state power. By signing an international cooperation statement and involving the UN, China is attempting to position itself as a legitimate alternative to Western-led AI governance frameworks, aiming to set the global standards for how the technology is deployed and regulated.
