China has taken a decisive step in the artificial intelligence (AI) race, rolling out a global action plan that aims to shape and perhaps even define the way AI is governed around the world. The timing could not be more pointed. Only days before, the United States revealed its own blueprint focused on securing an American edge in this rapidly evolving field. As tensions between the world’s two largest economies heat up, artificial intelligence is no longer just a matter of technological progress but of international influence, security, and ideology.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang presented the country’s vision at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, an annual gathering that draws technology leaders from over 40 countries and serves as a high-profile showcase for China’s aspirations in all things AI. He used his keynote address to call for a cooperative, multilateral approach to AI governance, proposing the creation of a new global organization devoted to international AI coordination. The goal, Li said, is to make sure AI benefits everyone and does not become the exclusive domain of a handful of countries or corporations.
Li’s message was clear: China sees itself as a responsible global actor, willing to help set rules and standards for this powerful technology. He emphasized initiatives like “AI plus,” which promotes the integration of artificial intelligence across different sectors and industries. One recurring theme was China’s readiness to support technological adoption in developing economies, those outside of the US and its European partners. In essence, China wants to help bridge the digital divide, especially for countries in the Global South that often struggle to access cutting-edge technologies.
China’s proposal lands against the backdrop of the US unveiling its own AI action plan earlier this month. The American roadmap is unapologetically ambitious, emphasizing deregulation and innovation at home, while seeking to expand exports of US made AI technology to allied nations. The strategy frames AI as essential to winning the race, and commits the US government to supporting businesses, universities, and entrepreneurs working at the frontiers of AI with a sharp warning to competitors, American AI must remain free from ideological bias and protected from overseas threats.
The contrast in philosophies could hardly be sharper. Where Washington is fixated on building an allied coalition, tightening rules on technology transfers, and emphasizing American values, Beijing is pitching inclusivity and multilateralism, even if most observers recognize this is also about strengthening China’s own influence on the global stage.
At this year’s WAIC, the themes were telling: Global Solidarity in the AI Era, with more than 800 exhibitors, 3,000 showcased products, and a record turnout from technology leaders both domestic and international. From robot boxing matches to industry forums, the conference spotlighted not only China’s technological prowess but also the growing appetite worldwide to engage in a deeper conversation about ethics, safety, and cooperation in artificial intelligence.
But underneath the surface, challenges abound. Both China and the US are grappling with how to address the risks posed by AI, from data privacy and job disruption to international security and algorithmic bias. The world is watching to see if either country succeeds in building consensus or if AI becomes yet another arena for geopolitical gridlock. Li Qiang was candid in recognizing those risks, warning that global rules remain fragmented and that there is still an urgent need to reach agreement about how AI should be governed worldwide.
Whether the world responds to China’s call for global cooperation or rallies around Washington’s competitive, export-driven approach remains an open question. As both countries race to develop more powerful AI systems, the stakes go well beyond business and investment. The frameworks established now could define how billions benefit from or are affected by artificial intelligence in decades to come.
