Chinese President Xi Jinping urged stronger global teamwork on artificial intelligence during his keynote at World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai Friday . He warned against any country monopolizing AI, pushing for a shared effort that includes developing nations .
Xi's comments come as China's AI models push hard against American tech dominance. The conference showcases innovations Xi hopes will match U.S. standards. With cheaper costs luring global users to China's AI, the competition heats up.
Worries about AI's governance are growing, especially its military use and potential for abuse. Xi stressed a “people-centred” approach to AI,saying human oversight is key. “We should put in place laws and regulations,technological monitoring,early warning, and emergency response systems,in order to … ensure AI is always under human control,” he said.
Xi also vowed China would help developing countries access AI resources, warning against “new historical injustices.” He announced plans for partnerships with international groups in Africa,Latin America, Asia,and BRICS to boost AI opportunities.
“AI development should not be solo performance by a single country,but a symphony of international cooperation,” Xi declared . He urged countries to reject prioritizing one nation's security over others in AI.
Backdrop of Xi's speech includes U.S. and EU tightening restrictions on Chinese tech imports, citing security. Recent U.S. tensions with AI firms have sparked questions over who controls advanced tech access. In May, the US Commerce Department upheld its ban on semiconductor shipments to Chinese subsidiaries abroad, underscoring tech trade complexities.
China's industrial policy prioritizes AI, backed by hefty state investment to build a local ecosystem from chipmaking to consumer apps. Though behind U.S . in cutting-edge semiconductor access, China excels in running massive data centers needing huge energy.
Typical data center uses power like 100,000 homes; new “hyperscale” facilities can use as much as two million homes. China's cheap electricity gives it an edge to meet these demands. It generates over double U.S. electricity,a lead set to grow with big energy infrastructure investments.
China's AI use is soaring, with daily AI “token” use up a thousandfold in two years. As China builds its AI muscle,global cooperation and ethical governance are crucial to charting AI's future...
