Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday called in Shanghai for stronger international cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI), denouncing what he described as an abusive “stretching” of national security grounds and arguing against any single country dominating the technology.
## A global call for AI
Speaking at the annual World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, Xi said AI development “must not be a solo” but “a symphony of global cooperation.” He shared the stage with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and leaders from countries including Kazakhstan, Cambodia and Thailand.
## Context: U.S. restrictions and the tech race
Xi reiterated Beijing’s criticism that some countries have broadened the notion of national security to limit Chinese access to advanced technologies. He singled out U.S.-led restrictions, saying they have compelled China to accelerate the development of its own capabilities and intensified the technological rivalry between the world’s two largest economies.
## Cooperation initiatives and training
On concrete measures, China pledged to provide 5,000 AI training courses to developing countries over the next five years. Xi announced expanded cooperation with regional and multilateral organizations — including ASEAN, the Arab League, the African Union, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS nations — and the deployment of an AI-driven meteorological system to 30 countries aimed at improving early warning capabilities.
## New body and international backing
A day before his speech, 29 countries, among them Pakistan, Russia and Kazakhstan, signed an agreement with China to establish a World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization — described as an intergovernmental body based in Shanghai to promote global AI governance.
## Ecosystem and technologies on display
Organizers say the conference brought together more than 1,100 companies and 1,400 guests. Among the technology showcases…
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