Xi Jinping Seeks Leading Role for China in Global Artificial Intelligence Order

China is seeking to position itself as a leading power in shaping the new world order for artificial intelligence. President Xi Jinping presented Beijing as an alternative to the United States in the race for technological supremacy.

In his opening address at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, Xi called on countries to benefit from the opportunities offered by open-source artificial intelligence. He also pledged Chinese support for developing countries, with the aim of strengthening their technological capabilities.

The Chinese president warned that inequality in access to new technologies could produce “new historical injustices.” According to him, setting rules for the development of artificial intelligence requires international cooperation.

Xi placed artificial intelligence on the same level of importance as major inventions of the past, including the steam engine and electricity. He said the technology would transform the economy and society on a global scale, while China aims to share its knowledge and technologies with developing countries and carry greater weight in setting international standards.

Xi’s stance comes as rivalry between China and the United States over control of the artificial intelligence sector intensifies. Beijing has promoted the use of open-source models to expand global access to the technology, while Washington focuses on security, data protection and control of supply chains.

New Chinese artificial intelligence models were also presented during the conference. Domestic companies aim to compete with the most advanced American platforms.

Xi also addressed artificial intelligence safety, calling for new systems to remain under human control. He proposed establishing early-warning and emergency-response mechanisms to prevent situations in which autonomous technologies could escape human oversight.

China’s president welcomed the creation of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization, which he described as an important step toward including developing countries in global AI governance.

The meeting in Shanghai is being held ahead of upcoming talks between the United States and China on artificial intelligence. The world’s two largest economies have presented different approaches: the United States supports innovation and more limited regulation, while China favors open-source models and broader access to technology.

Through this policy, Beijing is seeking not only to advance in technological competition, but also to influence how artificial intelligence will be regulated and used around the world in the coming decades.