China is actively shaping global artificial intelligence governance as the United Nations intensifies its efforts to regulate AI on a worldwide scale. The UN has accelerated its initiatives regarding AI governance, responding swiftly to the rapid evolution of AI technologies. The UN Activities on AI Report 2024 reveals that AI-related initiatives now involve 53 UN entities and 729 projects, marking a 13 percent increase in participant entities and a 79 percent rise in reported projects. These statistics highlight the UN’s commitment to leading the global governance process for artificial intelligence.
In a recent development, the UN introduced the Global Dialogue on AI Governance mechanism and established the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI, signifying a new phase of multilateral cooperation in AI governance. These initiatives aim to enhance the coordination, scientific rigor, and inclusiveness of global efforts related to AI technologies. The UN has also been advocating for the adoption of consensus-based resolutions to shape shared understandings and positions, having already facilitated the passage of “three resolutions and one pact.” The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s Recommendation on the Ethics of AI has gained wide recognition, serving as a crucial reference for ethical governance among sovereign states and the private sector.
Despite these advancements, the global AI governance efforts spearheaded by the UN face inherent limitations due to structural complexities, chronic institutional difficulties, and geopolitical tensions among major powers. In this context, China has taken significant steps to contribute its insights and experiences to global AI governance. At the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Tianjin Summit on September 1, President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative. The accompanying Concept Paper emphasizes prioritizing areas in urgent need of governance, such as AI, while upholding the authority of the UN. It calls for enhanced communication and cooperation to support the UN’s implementation of the Pact for the Future and for building early consensus.
China’s approach to global AI governance encompasses several key initiatives. First, it promotes coordinated governance, firmly supporting the UN as the principal channel for global AI governance. The Global AI Governance Action Plan, introduced at the 2025 World AI Conference, highlights the importance of realizing commitments outlined in both the UN Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact. During the conference, Premier Li Qiang announced China’s proposal for establishing a World AI Cooperation Organization, aimed at fostering collaboration and forging global consensus.
Second, China is advancing development cooperation through its “AI+” initiative, which is highlighted in the Recommendations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30). This initiative emphasizes the significance of mutual benefit through opening up and cooperation. At the High-Level Meeting on the Global Development Initiative at the UN headquarters in September, China unveiled the AI+ International Cooperation Initiative, which focuses on five key areas: public well-being, technological advancement, industrial application, cultural prosperity, and talent cultivation. This initiative encourages countries to advance their own AI+ actions based on local conditions while promoting policy exchanges and practical cooperation.
In practice, China has been helping countries in the Global South implement AI in various sectors such as economic development and public governance. Notable projects include the China-Pakistan Joint Lab for AI and Smart Agriculture, demonstrating how advancements in Chinese modernization can create opportunities for global development.
Moreover, China is dedicated to promoting inclusiveness and universal benefits in AI governance. It advocates for broad access, open sharing, and equitable use of AI technologies. Initiatives such as the International Open Source AI Cooperation Initiative and the AI Capacity-building Action Plan for Good and for All reflect this commitment. To facilitate these efforts, China has hosted three AI capacity-building workshops, inviting government representatives from around the world. Collaborating with Global South partners, China is working to develop digital infrastructure, including telecommunications networks and data centers, to enhance capabilities in AI innovation and governance.
Overall, the new Global Dialogue on AI Governance mechanism and the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI offer a platform for the international community to prioritize dialogue and cooperation over confrontation. As China plays a vital role in these initiatives, the global community is poised to make significant strides toward a more inclusive, balanced, and responsible phase of AI governance.
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