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As artificial intelligence (AI) advances at breakneck speed, the global community is confronted with a central question: Who should lead in shaping the norms and regulations of this transformative technology? In a decisive and strategically timed move, China has put forth a comprehensive proposal to form a global AI governance framework — a plan that signals both its rising technological ambitions and its intent to shape the geopolitical narrative around AI development and deployment.

A Call for Consensus Amid Fragmentation

Speaking at the recent World AI Conference in Shanghai, Chinese Premier Li Qiang emphasized the urgency of building a globally accepted AI governance framework. His call reflects a growing concern among policymakers and technologists worldwide: the lack of a cohesive global approach to AI regulation is creating a fragmented landscape that could lead to ethical lapses, technological monopolies, and digital inequities.

Li did not name specific countries but clearly pointed to technological protectionism — including export restrictions and exclusive access to advanced AI capabilities — as a major barrier to equitable AI development. This veiled criticism of U.S. policies underscores the global divide between two competing visions: one where AI is governed by a select group of technologically advanced nations, and another that aspires to multilateral cooperation rooted in inclusiveness and equity.

Positioning China as a Global AI Steward

China’s proposal is not just rhetorical. Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu confirmed that Beijing is considering locating the proposed global AI cooperation organization’s headquarters in Shanghai, further anchoring China’s central role in shaping the global AI agenda. Over 30 countries, including Russia, South Africa, Qatar, South Korea, and Germany, were reportedly present at discussions, lending weight to China’s attempt to build a broad coalition of support — especially among Global South nations.

The offer to share China’s AI experience and products with other nations, particularly developing economies, is also part of a broader soft power strategy. China seeks to be seen as a partner in digital empowerment, not merely a competitor in AI leadership. This is particularly appealing to countries in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, many of which lack the infrastructure or funding to independently develop AI ecosystems.

A Strategic Response to Western Dominance?

While China’s rhetoric is one of cooperation and mutual development, it’s also a calculated response to what it perceives as Western-led technological monopolization. The U.S. and European Union have ramped up efforts to regulate AI, often with implicit or explicit restrictions on Chinese firms — especially in sensitive areas like facial recognition, surveillance, and military tech.

Beijing’s proposal for a new global cooperation body could be interpreted as a counterbalance to Western-dominated standards being promoted in forums like the OECD or G7. In doing so, China aims to legitimize its domestic AI practices on a global scale while pushing for a multipolar digital order — one where no single nation or alliance has the authority to dictate AI norms.

Critical Questions: Inclusivity or Influence?

However, the proposal is not without its criticisms and caveats. Observers have raised concerns about whether China’s approach to AI — particularly its use of AI surveillance tools and opaque data governance practices — aligns with the ethical standards needed for inclusive global regulation. If China wants to be a global AI leader, it must also address these concerns and demonstrate greater transparency and trustworthiness in how its AI systems are developed and deployed.

Moreover, global consensus will be difficult to achieve without meaningful engagement from all major AI players — including the United States, India, the European Union, and other technologically advanced democracies. The risk remains that instead of a unified framework, the world may move toward regional or ideological blocs of AI governance, echoing the broader bifurcation in global geopolitics.

The Road Ahead

China’s call for a global AI governance framework is both timely and ambitious. It reflects an acute understanding that the world is at a crossroads — one where the rules of the AI age are yet to be written. While the vision promotes multilateralism and digital inclusion, its success will ultimately depend on genuine dialogue, transparency, and willingness to compromise across diverse national interests and technological philosophies.

If implemented earnestly, such a framework could ensure that AI evolves in ways that are safe, fair, and beneficial for all, especially for those countries currently at the margins of the digital revolution. But if it becomes a tool for asserting dominance under the banner of cooperation, it risks reinforcing the very inequities it seeks to dismantle.
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