At the 2025 World AI Conference in Shanghai, China proposed the creation of a global AI cooperation organization aimed at shaping international AI governance. This initiative builds on President Xi Jinping’s 2023 Global AI Governance Initiative and seeks to address the fragmented efforts to regulate AI amid rising global competition. The proposal emphasizes the need for inclusive dialogue among governments, industry leaders, and researchers to ensure that AI development is responsible, ethical, and aligned with global stability.
China envisions the organization as a platform for international cooperation that promotes innovation, shares technological expertise, and coordinates AI-related policies. A key goal is to bridge the “AI divide” between advanced economies and developing countries, fostering equitable global development and inclusive growth. The initiative also aims to challenge the dominance of a few powerful countries in AI governance and promote a multipolar approach that serves all nations’ interests.
China’s proposal signals a shift from passive participation to active leadership in global AI rulemaking. By sharing technologies, resources, and insights, China positions itself as a partner in equitable development and a counterbalance to Western dominance. The country’s commitment to open-source development and cross-border research collaboration reflects a strategy of empowering other countries, particularly in the Global South.
As global technology governance undergoes transformation, China’s proposal could reshape AI regulation and application worldwide. The success of this initiative will depend on its reception, especially among Global South countries, which may see China as a reliable partner compared to traditional Western frameworks.
