Deepening US-China technological competition sparks China's push for a global AI hub to counteract the fragmented nature of current advancements in artificial intelligence technology.
Chinese Premier Calls for International AI Coordination Center
Chinese Premier Li Qiang has proposed the establishment of an international center to coordinate global cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI), as the AI sector continues to evolve rapidly. The call for an international center comes amid a bitter tech competition between China and the United States.
Li made the proposal during the annual World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, which is attended by top AI scholars and industrial representatives from China and around the world. The move by Li is in response to the rapidly evolving sector of AI, as he noted differences in institutional frameworks and rules regarding AI among nations.
In contrast, the US strategy, announced days before Li's proposal, aims to bolster American AI dominance. The strategy includes deregulation, infrastructure investment, and expanding AI exports to allies. The US has recently announced its own blueprint on AI development, which emphasizes a global leadership approach.
The US plan promotes international diplomacy and security, advocating for cooperation with “like-minded” countries to establish an international AI governance framework aligned with US values. While details on a specific new international AI coordination center are not explicitly stated, the plan includes establishing structures like an AI Information Sharing and Analysis Center (AI-ISAC) within the Department of Homeland Security to facilitate coordination and security efforts nationally and internationally.
The US strategy is part of a technological arms race with China, as described by President Donald Trump. However, the international coordination implied in the US plan reflects a strategic effort to shape AI policy standards globally rather than the establishment of a standalone new international center.
Li stated that global AI governance is showing a fragmented trend overall. The proposed international center is intended to address this fragmentation by providing a platform for nations to collaborate and establish common AI governance standards. However, no specific details about the proposed international center have been provided by Li.
In summary, the US and China are both taking steps to expand their influence in the AI sector. While the US strategy focuses on maintaining American dominance, China is proposing an international center to coordinate global cooperation on AI. The future of global AI governance remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the AI sector is evolving rapidly, and nations are taking notice.
References
- White House AI Action Plan
- US AI Policy Framework
- Executive Order on Maintaining American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence
- Executive Order on Strengthening National Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure Control Systems
The Chinese Premier's proposal for an international center aims to address the fragmented trend in global AI governance by promoting collaboration among nations and establishing common AI governance standards. This initiative contrasts with the US strategy, which focuses on maintaining American AI dominance and emphasizes international diplomacy to shape AI policy standards globally, without explicitly stating the establishment of a new international AI coordination center.
