At the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, Chinese Premier Li Qiang proposed the creation of an international body to coordinate AI development and safety, warning that AI must not become an “exclusive game” dominated by a few nations or companies. “How to find a balance between development and security urgently requires further consensus from the entire society,” Li stated, calling AI a “new engine for growth.”

The speech came just days after US President Donald Trump announced a deregulation-heavy strategy for AI, including executive orders aimed at countering “woke” models. In sharp contrast, China’s approach, as laid out by Li, emphasized open-source development, cooperation with the global south, and the need for ethical and secure progress.

AI has emerged as a geopolitical flashpoint between the US and China, with Washington enforcing export restrictions on advanced chips and tech. Li, without naming the US, cited AI chip shortages and talent restrictions as major hurdles, warning against the weaponization of AI through technological monopolies and isolation.

WAIC 2025 drew top names in AI including Geoffrey Hinton (“the godfather of AI”), former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, and Anne Bouverot, France’s special envoy for AI. While Elon Musk was notably absent this year, global tech giants like Tesla, Alphabet Inc., and Amazon shared space with Chinese players like Huawei, Alibaba Group, and Unitree, showcasing AI’s central role in the future of global industry and diplomacy.