China calls for strengthening global AI governance to place it under human control

Beijing, July 17 (KUNA) -- China called on Friday for strengthening global artificial intelligence (AI) governance to address its risks and challenges and bring it under control, ensuring its development follows a path of benevolence that benefits humanity. This was stated in a speech delivered by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the opening ceremony of the High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance, held within the framework of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference 2026 in Shanghai. The event was attended by representatives from 100 countries and international organizations, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Xinhua News Agency quoted Xi as saying that “AI should be a reliable tool for humanity,” emphasizing the need to pay close attention to the various risks generated by this technology and to prevent its misuse or exploitation for harmful purposes. He stressed the importance of enhancing international cooperation in the field of AI to address prominent issues such as the unequal distribution of power and the widening digital and intelligence divide, ensuring that countries of the Global South benefit equally from the fruits of the smart transformation and avoiding a “new historical injustice” in this domain.

President Xi called for continuing to improve laws, regulations, regulatory policies, implementation standards, and ethical guidelines to make AI safe, reliable, and controllable, while rejecting the expansion of the concept of national security in this area and the prioritization of one country’s security over that of others. He also highlighted the necessity of practicing genuine multilateralism, activating the important role of the United Nations, and enhancing coordination on AI development strategies and technical standards to reach a globally accepted governance framework as soon as possible. He noted that AI development “should not be a solo musical performance by a single country, but a symphony of global cooperation.”

In this regard, he announced that China would provide 5,000 training opportunities to developing countries over the next five years as part of its efforts to support the global development of AI. (End) S.L.Q / M.N.F