Xi Jinping Calls for Global Collaboration on AI, Rejecting Single-Nation Dominance

The Chinese leader called for more international cooperation in developing the technology at a conference in Shanghai.

Published On 17 Jul 202617 Jul 2026

Chinese President Xi Jinping stated that artificial intelligence must not be controlled by any one nation, appealing for broader international coordination on the technology’s development during a major event in Shanghai.

In his keynote speech at the opening of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference on Friday, Xi also highlighted the necessity of a “people-centred” framework for AI advancement.

The conference highlights the advanced capabilities China aims to cultivate as rivals to those of the United States.

Chinese AI systems are steadily closing the gap with leading US models, drawing international users through lower operational costs.

However, regulating the fast-expanding industry has sparked debate, particularly regarding AI use in warfare and by malicious actors.

Xi outlined China’s commitment to equitable AI capacity-building for developing nations to avoid “new historical injustices.”

He revealed plans to work with global institutions across Africa, Latin America, Asia, and BRICS to expand AI access and training.

“AI development should not be a solo performance by a single country, but a symphony of international cooperation,” Xi said. “We should jointly oppose overstretching the national security concept in the field of AI or placing one country’s security over that of others.”

‘Ensure AI is always under human control’

The US and EU have limited Chinese tech imports over security worries, while disputes in Washington over AI lab oversight raise questions about control of top-tier tools.

In May, the US Commerce Department confirmed export curbs on semiconductors to overseas subsidiaries of Chinese firms to close loopholes.

The guidance extended licensing rules for advanced AI chips to all firms headquartered or parented in China.

At Friday’s conference, Xi reiterated that AI must remain human-led and oriented to public benefit.

“We should put in place laws and regulations, technological monitoring, early warning, and emergency response systems, in order to … ensure AI is always under human control,” he said.

AI is a strategic pillar of China’s industrial policy, backed by state funds building a domestic chain from chips to applications.

Daily use of AI “tokens” in China rose a thousandfold in two years, according to officials cited by state media.

China trails the US in cutting-edge semiconductors but leads in powering AI data centres, as earlier reported.

A typical data centre uses as much power as 100,000 homes; hyperscale sites can draw two million homes’ worth, per the IEA.

China’s cheap, plentiful electricity suits these demands.

It already generates over double US output, a gap set to grow via state grid investment.

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