China has proposed establishing a new international organization to promote global cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), announced by Premier Li Qiang at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai. This initiative reflects China’s aspiration for a more inclusive and equitable global approach to AI development and governance, intending to provide an alternative to the existing U. S. -led frameworks that currently dominate AI progress worldwide. Premier Li emphasized the importance of making AI technologies accessible to all countries, particularly those in the Global South, warning against the concentration of AI power within a few dominant nations and corporations, which could obstruct balanced and fair distribution of AI benefits. The proposal focuses on creating a globally coordinated governance framework to encourage collaboration among governments, industry leaders, and academia, with plans to locate the organization’s headquarters in Shanghai, establishing the city as a hub for international AI cooperation and innovation. Supported by a comprehensive action plan, the initiative seeks wide participation to foster an open environment for sharing technological advancements and jointly developing best practices in AI ethics and safety. This move occurs amid intensified competition between China and the U. S. , both heavily investing in AI research, infrastructure, and talent, acknowledging AI’s transformative influence across economic, military, and social domains. While the U. S. has traditionally been the leader in AI innovation, China’s expanding capabilities and strategic initiatives signal its intention to become a dominant force in the sector. The World Artificial Intelligence Conference featured over 800 companies and international participants showcasing more than 3, 000 AI innovations.

Leading Chinese tech firms like Huawei and Alibaba shared the stage with Western giants such as Tesla, Google, and Amazon, demonstrating the AI industry’s interconnectedness despite geopolitical tensions. The conference emphasized dialogue and the exchange of breakthroughs, addressing topics including AI ethics, data privacy, innovation, and societal impacts, highlighting a common will among global leaders to advance AI technology responsibly. China’s proposal aims to establish a new model of AI governance prioritizing inclusivity and fair access, bridging the gap between technological leaders and lagging nations to ensure AI’s benefits are broadly shared. The governance framework calls for collective decision-making and shared responsibility among countries, industries, and academic institutions, promoting unified standards for data security, transparency, and responsible AI use. This strategy recognizes the wide-ranging and complex societal effects of AI that no single nation can manage independently. Though ambitious, the proposal aligns with ongoing global discussions on ethical and cooperative AI frameworks, either complementing or providing an alternative to existing efforts depending on international response. In the months ahead, diplomatic and industry dialogues are expected to assess the proposal’s viability and potential effects. If implemented, Shanghai would become a central venue for global AI policy, research, and innovation, marking a significant shift in AI governance amid the global race for technological leadership. In summary, China’s call for an international AI cooperation organization represents a strategic effort to influence AI’s future direction by integrating technological and geopolitical factors. It advocates inclusivity, shared governance, and equitable access to AI’s transformative potential, underscoring the urgent need for new global partnerships and frameworks to guide AI’s rapid evolution, which promises to reshape societies and economies worldwide.