China urges global consensus on balancing AI development with security risks, as tensions between the U.S. and China escalate over AI governance.
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| At the World AI Conference, China’s Premier Li Qiang calls for a global framework on AI development to ensure balanced growth and security amidst international tensions. Image: CH |
Shanghai, China, July 28, 2025
In his address at the World AI Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, Chinese Premier Li Qiang articulated a powerful call for a global consensus on the development of artificial intelligence (AI). His plea for international cooperation comes at a time when AI is not just a technological frontier but a significant geopolitical battleground, with both the U.S. and China competing for supremacy in this rapidly evolving field.
Li's call for balanced AI development stands in sharp contrast to the approach recently outlined by U.S. President Donald Trump, who unveiled a strategy of deregulation aimed at solidifying American leadership in the AI sector. The U.S. government’s focus on removing regulatory barriers for private sector AI development directly clashes with China’s emphasis on governance, security, and international cooperation. This divergence highlights the growing divide between the two global superpowers, not just in terms of technological innovation but also in their approach to global governance and control.
In his speech, Li underlined that AI's rapid growth introduces substantial risks—such as the potential for misinformation, job displacement, and loss of control over the technology—making governance and regulation essential. These comments are particularly significant in the context of a heightened tech race between the U.S. and China, with both nations trying to outpace each other in AI advancements while safeguarding national security.
China’s approach to AI development is rooted in the notion of openness and international collaboration. By proposing the creation of a Chinese-led organization for AI cooperation, Li seeks to establish a platform for global governance that emphasizes "extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits." This initiative is indicative of China’s broader strategy to position itself not only as an AI leader but as a proponent of a multilateral approach to technological governance, particularly at a time when international norms around AI are still being developed.
Li’s emphasis on open-source AI reflects China's desire to integrate itself into the global tech ecosystem, particularly in developing countries. By offering to share its AI advancements with nations in the Global South, China aims to cultivate alliances and foster technological inclusivity. This is in stark contrast to the U.S. strategy, which has focused on preserving a technological monopoly that many critics argue could deepen global inequalities.
On the other hand, the U.S. administration’s deregulation approach, led by Trump, is premised on the idea that less government intervention will foster greater innovation. However, this strategy raises significant concerns about the ethical and societal impacts of AI. With the U.S. pushing to reduce regulatory oversight, critics worry about the unchecked development of AI technologies that could exacerbate issues such as privacy breaches, discrimination, and job displacement without adequate safeguards in place.
The U.S. has also tightened its grip on the export of advanced semiconductor technologies to China, citing national security concerns. These measures aim to prevent China from acquiring the necessary chips for AI research and development, as the U.S. sees technological leadership as key to maintaining global dominance. However, this tech rivalry may ultimately hinder the global progress of AI, with both countries prioritizing their own strategic interests over collective technological advancement.
While the U.S. and China continue to spar over AI supremacy, the rest of the world faces the urgent need for a comprehensive and unified global framework for regulating AI. As AI integrates into critical sectors like healthcare, finance, and security, the risks associated with its unchecked use are becoming more apparent. From the spread of disinformation to the threat of job losses across industries, AI presents challenges that transcend national borders.
Li’s call for a balanced approach to AI development is echoed by international voices, including those of U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Anne Bouverot, France’s AI envoy. Both have highlighted the need for an open, transparent, and effective governance structure that ensures AI’s benefits are broadly shared, rather than concentrated in the hands of a few powerful nations or corporations.
As the AI arms race accelerates, the global community will have to decide whether to embrace a cooperative framework for governance or allow national interests to dominate, potentially hindering collective progress and the responsible development of the technology.
The division between the U.S., China, and other global actors, such as the European Union, which is advocating for comprehensive AI regulation through legislation like the EU AI Act, is becoming more pronounced. While the U.S. and U.K. have resisted calls for excessive regulation, arguing it could stifle innovation, the EU and China are pushing for more stringent oversight to mitigate the risks of AI.
Earlier this year, 58 countries, including China, France, and India, as well as the EU and African Union, called for enhanced coordination on AI governance. However, the U.S. and U.K. refrained from endorsing the summit’s call for an "open" and "inclusive" AI approach, citing concerns over the potential for overregulation.
The future of AI governance lies in finding a balance between innovation, security, and ethics—an equilibrium that can only be achieved through international collaboration and a shared commitment to the responsible development of AI technology.
Li Qiang’s speech at the WAIC, advocating for global consensus on AI governance, marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing U.S.-China tech rivalry. While the U.S. champions deregulation to maintain its technological dominance, China seeks international cooperation to ensure that AI serves the broader global good. The question now is whether these competing visions will lead to greater cooperation or further divide the world into separate AI camps, with each country pursuing its own vision of technological progress.