China launches global AI governance initiative

At the third Belt and Road Forum on Wednesday in Beijing, China launched the Global AI Governance Initiative, a framework designed to promote equal rights and opportunities for all nations in the development and governance of AI.

The announcement was made at the forum by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his keynote speech and released by the Cyberspace Administration of China. China’s foreign ministry described the new initiative as a ‘constructive approach’ to universal concerns over the development and governance of AI.

The Global AI Governance Initiative is part of China’s vision of the development, security, and governance of AI. The main feature of the framework is a people-centred AI that is beneficial to human progress.

The plan is part of Beijing’s efforts to ‘advance the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind’, together with Global Development, Global Security, and Global Civilization Initiatives.

Why does it matter?

With a growing technological rivalry between China and the US, AI has arisen as a major field of tension as both countries strive to uphold their leadership over global standards development and regulation.
The Global AI Governance Initiative was announced a day after the latest US ban on advanced chips and chipmaking technologies. The proposed AI framework aligns with China’s broader vision of global development, security, and governance for AI to guide the responsible evolution of the technology.
China is a proponent of global cooperation in developing AI norms, standards, and regulatory frameworks through broad consensus among nations and consideration for individual countries’ specific policies and practices.

China recognizes the growing digital divide in AI and its governance and stresses the importance of assisting developing countries. The efforts to fill the gap in AI development and governance capabilities between countries could bring additional economic benefits to China in the global south, strengthening Beijing’s leadership among developing countries.

The announcement comes as the UN Secretary-General is forming a high-level advisory body that could lead to the creation of a new AI UN agency. Meanwhile, the EU is in the final legislative phase for its AI Act, and the UK is about to hold its global AI safety summit in early November, where China is invited for at least part of the event.