Chinese Premier Li Qiang announced China's ambitious plan to establish a global artificial intelligence cooperation organization at the opening of the 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai on July 26. This announcement represents China's most significant move yet in the escalating global AI competition, directly challenging US technological dominance through international cooperation.
Global AI Cooperation Organization: A New Framework
The Chinese government has proposed the creation of a global artificial intelligence cooperation organization, with tentative plans to establish its headquarters in Shanghai. This initiative aims to create an alternative framework for international AI governance, emphasizing inclusive development and technology sharing, particularly with developing nations.
The proposed organization represents China's practical response to the call of the Global South, aiming to bridge the digital and intelligent divide, and promote the development of AI for good and inclusive development. This approach contrasts sharply with the US strategy, which focuses on technology restrictions and alliance-building among developed nations.
Timing and Strategic Context
The tech race between the world's two largest economies just intensified as China released a global action plan for artificial intelligence, calling for international cooperation on tech development and regulation. This announcement came just days after the White House unveiled "America's AI Action Plan," which emphasizes maintaining technological superiority and limiting China's access to advanced AI technologies.
The three-day Shanghai conference brings together industry leaders and policymakers at a time of escalating technological competition between China and the United States — the world's two largest economies — with AI emerging as a key battleground.
Implications for Global AI Governance
China's proposal for global AI cooperation represents a fundamental shift in how international AI governance might evolve. While the US focuses on building exclusive partnerships with allies and restricting technology exports, China is positioning itself as an inclusive leader that welcomes participation from all nations, especially developing countries.
Building on the first Workshop on AI Capacity-Building this year, the Chinese government will hold 10 AI workshops and seminars primarily aimed at fellow developing countries by the end of 2025, demonstrating its commitment to technology transfer and capacity building in the Global South.
The Battle for AI Leadership
This development signals that the global AI landscape is increasingly polarizing into two competing visions: the US model of technological exclusivity and alliance-based cooperation, versus China's inclusive, multilateral approach. The success of either strategy will likely determine the future structure of global AI governance and technology sharing.