Xi Jinping urges global cooperation on artificial intelligence to prevent any single nation from dominating the technology.
Xi Jinping called on nations to cooperate on artificial intelligence to ensure the technology remains a global public good rather than a solo performance by a single country. Speaking at a major tech conference in Shanghai, Xi Jinping emphasized that AI development should be a "symphony of international cooperation" to prevent "new historical injustices" for developing nations. The administration's primary rival, China, is positioning itself as a leader in the global AI order by launching the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO). This coalition of 29 nations aims to promote international cooperation and develop safe regulations for the technology. While the United States currently leads in cutting-edge capabilities, China is narrowing the gap through massive investments in data centers, cheap electricity, and robotics. Xi Jinping's message serves as a strategic counter to the United States, which has recently faced allegations from President Trump regarding Chinese exploitation of American election data. By spearheading WAICO, Beijing seeks to shape global AI policies and export its own governance vision to the Global South.