BEIJING: As the United States was absent from a collective pledge to drive inclusive AI development at the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris, France, the China-proposed Global AI Governance Initiative, put forward by President Xi Jinping in 2023, has greater relevance to promoting AI growth for good and for all, according to analysts.
Fifty-eight countries including China and two international organizations — the 27-member European Union and the 55-member African Union — signed the Statement on Inclusive and Sustainable Artificial Intelligence for People and the Planet at the summit, co-chaired by France and India from Monday to Tuesday. The US refused to sign the international document, with Vice-President JD Vance making it clear at the summit that Washington maintains an “America first” approach in AI development. Vance said that the US administration will ensure that “American AI technology continues to be the gold standard worldwide”, while access to that technology will not be open to all, according to media reports.
Addressing the summit in the capacity of President Xi’s special representative, Vice-Premier Zhang Guoqing reiterated China’s commitment to working with other countries to promote development, safeguard security, share achievements in the AI field, and jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind. In facing the opportunities and challenges brought about by the development of AI, Zhang called on the international community to jointly advocate the principle of developing AI for good and to deepen innovative cooperation, strengthen inclusiveness and universal benefits, and improve global governance.
Zhang’s attendance at the Paris summit is widely considered as China’s active implementation of the Global AI Governance Initiative. Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Wednesday that China’s signing of the outcome document at the summit demonstrates its commitment to promoting global AI development and governance in an active manner. –The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
