SHANGHAI – Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday that the world has entered an unprecedentedly vigorous period of innovation in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, bringing great opportunities and governance challenges.
Delivering a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance, Xi said humanity must answer the questions of the times.
He raised questions about how humans can get along with thinking machines, how security can be ensured when algorithms are involved in decision-making, how ethical challenges posed by technologies can be tackled through adaptive governance, and how AI for all can be realized when the divide keeps widening.
These questions demand serious consideration and answers from the entire international community, he added.
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The Chinese leader presented four observations on AI development and governance.
Talking about his first observation on adhering to the principle of openness and win-win cooperation while boosting innovation-driven development, he highlighted the importance of encouraging open-source, openness, collaboration and sharing to facilitate technological innovation, industrial development and scenario-based application of AI.
On strengthening risk awareness and ensuring that AI is secure and controllable, he stressed the need to ensure that AI is always under human control. Xi urged all sides to jointly oppose overstretching the national security concept in the field of AI or placing one country's security over that of others.
Third, encouraging inclusiveness and promoting mutual learning among civilizations. AI development and its application should not erode or undermine the diversity of world civilizations or the uniqueness of cultures of different countries, according to Xi.
Fourth, advocating solidarity and improving global governance. The important role of the United Nations should be recognized, he said, calling for further alignment and coordination on AI development strategies, governance rules and technical standards.
"We must carry out extensive international cooperation and help Global South countries with capacity building to bridge the AI and digital divides, promote sustainable development and prevent creating new historical injustice in AI," he said.
