Global AI has become more than just a buzzword—it’s the bedrock shaping economies, industries, and societies. As countries try to take advantage of the potential of AI, the question comes up: Who makes the rules in this new age?
China has called for the creation of a global AI organization, which is a bold move that aims to steer the path toward cooperation instead of division. This proposal could change the way the world thinks about AI governance and working together.
Why do we need a global AI organization now?
At the 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, Premier Li Qiang’s speech was more than just a policy suggestion. It was a response to the growing gaps in AI development around the world.
China’s leaders think that AI’s future could be an “exclusive game for a few,” where countries with the best technology set the rules and keep the benefits for themselves, leaving the rest of the world to catch up.
China’s leadership sees AI’s future as a potential “exclusive game for a few,” where countries with advanced technology set standards and hoard benefits, leaving the rest to play catch-up.
- Technological Monopolies: With countries setting up export restrictions—such as the US on advanced chips—the risk is clear: only a handful of players will dominate the AI landscape, much like Big Tech’s grip on social media.
- Fragmented Governance: Different regulatory philosophies are emerging across major AI regions, with China, the US, and Europe proposing divergent approaches to ethics, security, and openness.
- Bridging the Digital Divide: China’s vision is an “inclusive” platform, supporting developing nations and promoting equitable access to AI’s benefits, rather than leaving them behind in a widening technology gap.
How China’s proposal stacks up against the West
Let’s break down China’s vision versus current trends in global AI governance:
| Area | China’s Proposal | US/West Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Governance Model | Multilateralism, collective rule-setting | Coalition-building, often with allies (US, EU, Japan) |
| Openness & Access | Advocates for open source, sharing tech with Global South | Controlled exports, strategic alliances |
| Ethics & Regulation | Flexible, respect for local context and diversity in regulation | Stronger focus on regulation (bias, privacy), sometimes fragmented |
| Capacity Building | Helping Global South nations build AI infrastructure and ecosystems | Select partnerships, investment mainly in allied economies |
China wants to make Shanghai the center of global AI discussions, just like Geneva became known as the place for peace talks and diplomacy.
Important Information: What does the world have to lose?
- Power Dynamics Are Shifting: As US-China competition intensifies, having a neutral, multi-stakeholder global AI organization could prevent “AI nationalism” and encourage transparent, shared progress.
- Ethics Beyond Borders: AI doesn’t stop at borders. Issues like data privacy, algorithmic bias, and deepfakes require common rules. A global body could coordinate standards, much like the International Telecommunication Union does for telecom.
- The Global South’s Moment: China’s call is partly aimed at rallying developing nations, giving them a seat at the table where AI’s impact on economies and societies is decided.
- Future of Work & Economy: Coordinated AI governance could help manage job displacement, boost innovation, and maximize AI’s potential for public good.
- Inclusive AI for All: The new organization promises actions like supporting the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and ensuring technological tools help address global challenges—climate, health, and education—not just profits.
Final words
We’re at a point of change. China’s plan for a global AI organization is on the right track and a big step forward. Because I’m really interested in how technology can help people, I’ve seen how not standardizing things can cause progress to be broken up and hard to get to. For example, the “walled gardens” of the early internet are a good example of this.
A unified approach within a global AI framework gives people hope: everyone can benefit, there are fewer risks, and each country has a chance to shape the future of intelligence.
Finally, it’s important to keep an eye on this changing landscape whether you’re a policymaker, a tech fan, or just a citizen of the world. It’s not only smart, it’s necessary to make sure AI helps everyone, not just a select few.
