Chinese Premier Li Qiang has proposed the formation of a World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization to promote inclusive development, collaborative innovation, and unified global governance in the rapidly advancing field of artificial intelligence.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) and the High-level Conference on Global Governance of AI in Shanghai, Premier Li emphasized the need for solidarity and responsible leadership in shaping AI's future.
“No matter how science and technology change, they should be used and controlled by humans and developed in the direction of good and inclusiveness,” Li said. “Artificial intelligence should also become an international public product for the benefit of mankind.”
Held under the theme Global Solidarity in the AI Era, the three-day summit has drawn over 1,000 delegates from governments, academia, and the private sector. In his keynote, Li echoed President Xi Jinping’s long-standing call for AI development that prioritizes safety, ethics, and shared prosperity.
Highlighting the transformative impact of large language models, multimodal systems, and embodied intelligence, Li acknowledged both the immense opportunities and the emerging risks of AI. He stressed the urgent need for coordinated global action.
Li outlined three key priorities to shape AI’s future: Expanding open access to AI technologies and infrastructure ,Enhancing international collaboration on research and talent mobility,
Building a unified, inclusive governance framework to ensure safety and fairness in global AI deployment.
The Chinese Premier’s remarks were echoed by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, who addressed the summit via video. He urged for “robust international cooperation” to ensure AI serves humanity and does not deepen existing inequalities.
As AI increasingly powers economic growth, healthcare, education, and industrial transformation, China is positioning itself as a leading voice in global AI governance. With AI systems expected to contribute trillions of dollars to the global economy in the next decade, the proposed cooperation body could shape international standards and prevent fragmentation in policy, ethics, and regulation.
The conference signals China's rising confidence and pride in its AI capabilities, and its ambition to play a central role in steering AI’s trajectory worldwide — not just through innovation, but through principled leadership.
The WAIC continues through Monday, with sessions focused on generative AI, cross-border regulations, AI for sustainable development, and more.
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