On Saturday (Jul 26), Chinese Premier Li Qiang proposed forming an international organization to promote global collaboration on artificial intelligence (AI), urging countries to align efforts on AI development and security.
Delivering the keynote at the opening of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, Li described AI as a powerful new driver of economic growth but emphasized that current governance is fragmented. He called for a unified, internationally accepted framework for managing the technology.
The three-day conference, which draws industry leaders and policymakers, comes amid intensifying tech rivalry between China and the United States, with AI becoming a key strategic front.
Li pointed out that global AI governance suffers from inconsistencies, especially in terms of regulatory approaches and institutional structures. “We must strengthen coordination to establish a global governance system with broad consensus as soon as possible,” he said.
While he avoided directly naming the U.S., Li cautioned against AI becoming a tool controlled by a select few countries and corporations. He highlighted barriers such as limited AI chip access and restrictions on talent mobility as major challenges.
Despite U.S. export bans on cutting-edge AI chips and manufacturing tools—aimed at curbing China’s military capabilities—China continues to make strides in AI innovation, drawing close attention from American authorities.
Li also expressed China’s desire to share its AI expertise and technologies with other nations, particularly those in the Global South.
WAIC is a major government-backed event in Shanghai that annually brings together global stakeholders, including corporate leaders, officials, academics, and investors. Notably absent this year was Tesla CEO Elon Musk, a regular past speaker.
Alongside panel discussions, the conference features an expansive exhibition. Organizers said over 800 companies are showcasing more than 3,000 tech products, including 40 large language models, 50 AI-powered devices, and 60 intelligent robots.
Chinese firms such as Huawei, Alibaba, and robotics startup Unitree are among the leading exhibitors. Global tech giants like Tesla, Alphabet, and Amazon are also participating.
