Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday called for global cooperation in the development and governance of artificial intelligence (AI), urging countries to ensure the technology serves humanity, promotes shared prosperity and remains under effective human control as competition for AI leadership intensifies.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai, Xi said AI should be developed with a people-centred approach and governed through an equitable international framework.
He said all countries should work together to ensure AI becomes “an important driver for shared prosperity and common security” while building “a just and equitable system for global AI governance.”
Reflecting on AI’s origins, Xi recalled that the concept was first proposed 70 years ago at the Dartmouth Workshop in New Hampshire, United States, an event that inspired generations of scientists to explore the emerging field.
He said China has embraced AI as a strategic priority under its 15th Five-Year Plan by strengthening innovation, advancing its AI Plus Initiative and building an ecosystem in which the country’s core smart economy industries are now valued at more than one trillion yuan.
The Chinese leader outlined four principles that he said should guide global AI development and governance.
“First, we should adhere to the principle of openness and win-win and boost innovation-driven development. As a new engine of world economic growth and an accelerator for the shift of growth drivers, AI is moving from the digital world into the physical world. We should seize this rare, historic opportunity to encourage open source, openness, collaboration and sharing. We should facilitate technological innovation, industrial development and scenario-based application of AI. We should make coordinated advances in the transformation and upgrade of traditional industries, the cultivation and growth of emerging industries and forward-looking planning for future industries, so that all sectors and businesses can benefit from AI,” Xi said.
On the need for safeguards, the president stressed that AI must remain safe and subject to human oversight.
“Second, we should strengthen risk-awareness and ensure that AI is secure and controllable. AI should be a trusted tool for humanity. We should take seriously the various types of inherent and secondary risks that AI may trigger. We should put in place laws and regulations, technological monitoring, early warning and emergency response systems in order to strengthen the line of security, prevent abuses and malicious use, and ensure that AI is always under human control. In the meantime, we should jointly oppose overstretching the national security concept in the field of AI and placing one country’s security over that of others.“
Xi also called for AI to respect cultural diversity and promote mutual understanding among nations.
“Third, we should encourage inclusiveness and promote mutual learning between civilizations. AI development and its application should not erode or undermine the diversity of world civilizations or the uniqueness of cultures of different countries. We must shape the values of AI with humanity’s common values, and make good use of AI technologies to increase understanding, tolerance, exchanges, and sharing among all civilizations. We should tend to the garden of civilizations with great care to ensure that the beauty of each civilization is appreciated and shared.“
On global governance, Xi said stronger international coordination was essential.
“Fourth, we should advocate solidarity and improve global governance. AI is an invaluable asset that encapsulates humanity’s collective wisdom. We should practice true multilateralism and recognize the important role of the United Nations. We should enhance alignment and coordination on AI development strategies, governance rules and technical standards, so as to form a consensus-based global governance framework at an early date to make this frontier technology better benefit humanity. We must carry out extensive international cooperation and help Global South countries with capacity building to bridge the AI and digital divides, promote sustainable development, and prevent creating new historical injustice in AI.“
Xi said China places high priority on AI safety and will continue to strengthen its legal, regulatory and ethical frameworks to ensure the technology develops in a secure and responsible manner.
He also highlighted China’s role in advancing international AI cooperation, citing the Global AI Governance Initiative, the adoption of a United Nations General Assembly resolution on international AI capacity building, the AI Capacity Building Action Plan for Good and for All, and the AI Plus International Cooperation Initiative.
According to him, the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) in Shanghai marks a significant step in strengthening global AI governance.
“We often say in China, ‘A single string cannot make music, and a single tree does not make a forest.’ AI development should not be a solo performance by a single country, but a symphony of international cooperation. Thanks to our joint efforts, WAICO has come into being in Shanghai. Our vision from one year ago is now a reality. This is a major move by China to answer the call of the Global South and unite the international community together to promote vigorously AI development and governance. It will be an important milestone in the history of AI development.“
Xi announced a series of initiatives to support AI development in emerging economies over the next five years.
“To further support global AI development and advance global AI capacity building, I hereby announce that in the next five years, China will provide developing countries with 5,000 opportunities in AI training and seminar programs; develop international AI application cooperation centers with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the League of Arab States, the African Union, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and BRICS; and enable 30 countries to use the AI-powered meteorological warning system, or MAZU, to safeguard homes around the world.“
Concluding his address, Xi invoked an ancient Chinese proverb to underscore the need for responsible AI governance.
“A man of wisdom adapts to changes; a man of knowledge acts by circumstances.“
He added that as AI continues to evolve rapidly, governments must ensure its development remains “for the positive, for good and for humanity,” while strengthening oversight to prevent misuse.
“China is ready to be more open, take more practical actions, and assume a more visionary perspective. We are ready to work with all parties to seize the opportunities of AI development and meet the challenges, and join hands to create a brighter future for humanity.“