China on Wednesday called for stronger international cooperation to address the risks posed by artificial intelligence, as government officials and technology leaders gathered at the UN Security Council to discuss the implications of the rapidly evolving technology on international peace and security.

The high-level meeting, chaired by France on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, brought together Security Council members and leading figures in the AI industry.

"AI is a common asset of humanity and should not become 'a game for rich countries and the rich'," said Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN.

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"The international community should prevent the digital and AI divide from further widening the development gap, increase support for the Global South, help people in all countries benefit from the peaceful use of technological advances and strengthen their ability to withstand security risks," said Fu.

Fu said countries have the right to choose AI technologies, products and services based on their own needs and market principles.

"Attempts to form exclusive 'small circles' in science and technology and force countries to take sides are, in essence, efforts to politicize and instrumentalize technological issues in order to preserve the technological advantages of certain major powers and pursue digital hegemony," he said.

Fu also called for AI to be used to advance development. "AI offers broad prospects for addressing global challenges including climate change, food security, public health, energy transition and natural disasters," he said, urging the international community to ensure technological advances are translated into benefits for people's well-being.

"We welcome the United Nations' efforts to use AI, based on existing resources, to improve the quality and efficiency of its work and provide more accessible services to its broad membership," said Fu.

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On AI risks, Fu called for improvements in "regulatory frameworks, emergency response and cross-border cooperation mechanisms". Countries should "combat the misuse and abuse of AI by terrorist organizations, extremist forces and transnational criminal groups," he said.

Countries should also take a prudent and responsible approach to the military use of AI, "avoid strategic miscalculation and arms races, oppose the use of AI-related weapons to carry out indiscriminate attacks or deliberate attacks against civilians and civilian facilities, and ensure that humans always retain final decision-making authority," he said.

"Companies, particularly major technology companies, should fulfill their social responsibilities, counter disinformation and hate speech, and be subject to legal regulation and public oversight," said Fu.

Fu also outlined China'' recent AI initiatives, saying the country would provide 5,000 AI training opportunities to developing countries over the next five years, establish AI application cooperation centers with several regional and international organizations, and promote its AI-powered meteorological early-warning solution in 30 countries.

He also noted the establishment in Shanghai of the World AI Cooperation Organization, an intergovernmental organization dedicated to artificial intelligence.