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My Take | China champions ‘inclusive AI’ framework to win the hearts and minds of developing world
Beijing’s policy is focused on more affordable systems, inclusive tech development efforts and a seat at the table of AI governance
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Without alluding to the country’s tech rivalry with the US, Chinese Premier Li Qiang has called on the world to “enhance coordination and alignment” as a way to make AI more inclusive, which would benefit more people and countries.
In his keynote speech on Saturday at the opening of the three-day World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, Li proposed the establishment of an international organisation to form a global governance framework for AI, unifying nations’ different regulatory approaches to the technology.
Li also put forward Beijing’s support for the open-source development trend in AI, while upholding freer exchanges of research and talent in this fast-growing industry.
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Still, China’s advocacy for inclusiveness, equality and joint governance in AI is likely to face scrutiny in the West – particularly in the US, which promotes a different set of values and approach to AI governance.
The White House’s new AI Action Plan leaves the core of American policy towards China unchanged, despite US President Donald Trump’s recent concessions and shifts in rhetoric.
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A section of that plan calls for AI to “protect free speech and American values”, as well as for the US government to evaluate AI models from China based on “alignment with Chinese Communist Party talking points and censorship”.
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