China’s Xi says AI ‘should not be a solo performance by a single country’ | Regulation News
Xi Jinping Advocates for International Cooperation on AI Development
Shanghai, China — Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the need for global collaboration in artificial intelligence (AI) development during his keynote address at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference on Friday. Speaking before an audience in Shanghai, Xi stated that no single country should dominate this rapidly evolving technology.
In his remarks, Xi underscored the significance of a “people-centered” approach to AI, calling for equitable access to AI capacity-building, particularly for developing nations. He expressed concerns about the potential for “new historical injustices” if access remains unequal.
The conference showcased advancements in AI technology that Xi hopes will soon compete with offerings from the United States. Chinese AI models are increasingly appealing to global users due to their lower costs, positioning them as viable alternatives to more established U.S. products.
However, discussions around AI governance have intensified amid worries over its military applications and potential misuse by criminals. Xi outlined China’s commitment to collaborating with international organizations, including those from Africa, Latin America, Asia, and BRICS countries, to create AI opportunities that benefit all.
“AI development should not be a solo performance by a single country, but a symphony of international cooperation,” Xi stated. He cautioned against prioritizing one nation’s security concerns over those of others, advocating for a balanced approach to the technology.
The backdrop for these discussions includes increasing restrictions on Chinese tech imports by the United States and European Union, driven by national security concerns. Recently, the U.S. Commerce Department reinforced its regulations on semiconductor shipments to Chinese subsidiaries abroad, highlighting tensions regarding access to advanced technology.
During the conference, Xi reiterated the importance of ensuring AI remains under human control. “We should put in place laws and regulations, technological monitoring, early warning, and emergency response systems,” he said.
AI has emerged as a cornerstone of China’s industrial strategy, bolstered by significant state investment aimed at nurturing a domestic ecosystem that spans from semiconductor production to consumer applications. According to state media, daily consumption of AI “tokens” has surged a thousandfold in the past two years.
While China continues to lag behind the U.S. in access to cutting-edge semiconductors, it possesses a strategic advantage in generating the vast amounts of electricity required for data centers. The International Energy Agency (IEA) notes that a typical data center’s energy consumption can equate to that of 100,000 households, with next-generation facilities demanding even more power.
China’s substantial supply of inexpensive electricity positions the country to meet the escalating energy needs of its AI infrastructure. Currently, China produces more than twice the electricity of the United States, a gap projected to widen amidst aggressive state-led investments in its energy grid.
