One AI to Rule Them All? China Pushes Global AI Cooperation

July 26, 2025 – In a bold move at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, Chinese Premier Li Qiang unveiled a sweeping proposal to establish a global AI cooperation organization. His call comes amid growing concerns over fragmented governance and intensifying tech rivalry with the United States.

Why a Global AI Body Now?

Li emphasized that AI development is currently hindered by technological monopolies and fragmented regulation, warning that without coordination, AI could become an exclusive game for a few countries and companies. He argued that the world must come together under a unified governance framework with wide consensus.

Headquarters in Shanghai? China Eyes Home Turf

China’s Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu reportedly invited over 30 countries—including Russia, South Africa, Qatar, South Korea, and Germany—to participate in the plan. Ma suggested Shanghai as a potential location for the organization’s headquarters.

From Vision to Blueprint: The 13‑Point Governance Plan

Alongside the announcement, China released a 13‑point global AI governance action plan. Major highlights include:

• UN-backed dialogue mechanisms

• A safety governance framework

• Promotion of open-source access and cross-border developer communities

• Infrastructure support such as clean power, next-gen networks, and data centers

China’s Global South Strategy: Sharing AI with Everyone

A key feature of China’s proposal is expanding access to AI technologies, especially for countries in the Global South. China highlighted plans to share innovations like models from DeepSeek and Alibaba and build equitable cooperation platforms for developing nations.

SCO Collaboration: Regional Roots for a Global Reach

Earlier this year, at the China-SCO AI Cooperation Forum in Tianjin, China invited SCO member countries to help build an AI application center. The initiative focuses on talent development, industrial partnerships, and shared open-source services—laying groundwork for broader international cooperation.

U.S.–China Tech Rift: A Tale of Two Visions

China’s proposal comes as part of a wider strategy to counter U.S. technological dominance. Washington has imposed export restrictions on advanced chips and equipment—targeting firms like Nvidia—citing security concerns while accelerating its own AI diplomacy with allies.

The speech reflects a broader ideological divide: China advocating open, inclusive innovation; the U.S. emphasizing control, national security, and Western-aligned values.

What Happens Next?

China’s proposal is in early stages—and largely symbolic without buy-in from major economies. A successful global framework would require support from entities such as:

• United Nations mechanisms

• BRICS alignment, following the recent Rio Declaration that urged UN-led AI regulation

• Leading tech powers and research institutions, especially those not aligned with either bloc

China faces the dual task of rallying international coalition support while also navigating skepticism from Western countries wary of geopolitical influence.

Final Thoughts: A Turning Point in AI Governance?

Premier Li’s announcement may mark a defining moment in the geopolitical future of artificial intelligence. Whether this becomes a unifying institution or another arena of tech rivalry remains to be seen. Countries across the world now have a clear choice: rally behind China’s proposed umbrella or reaffirm alliances under alternate governance schemes.

Date: 26th Jul, 2025

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