Xi Jinping calls for ‘openness’ in AI development amid US accusations

Chinese President Xi Jinping has made a landmark speech at the World AI Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, delivering his first-ever keynote address at the country’s premier artificial intelligence event. Xi said China would seize the “rare historic opportunity” of AI-driven growth by “encouraging open source, openness, collaboration and sharing”, signalling the country’s commitment to the strategy amid concerns about open-weight AI’s future due to rising security risks. Xi said the open approach could boost technological innovation, industrial development and applications so that “all sectors and businesses can benefit from AI”.