Global figures, media call for enhanced AI governance at China Media Group Forum

Prominent global figures and representatives of international media organizations have called for greater responsibility and collaboration to strengthen the governance of artificial intelligence (AI) so as to minimize risks associated with the fast-evolving technology and utilize its full potential for the good of mankind.

The topic was highlighted at the third China Media Group (CMG) Forum, held in Beijing on Monday under the theme "A Force for Good: Shared Responsibility in AI". The event gathered more than 200 representatives from international organizations, multinational firms, mainstream Chinese and overseas media outlets and think tanks, who joined in both offline and online formats.

In a series of video messages delivered at the forum, the heads of mainstream media outlets, renowned scholars, scientists, former state leaders, and executives of multinational companies all expressed their willingness to work together with media partners around the world to strengthen exchanges, deepen pragmatic cooperation, and promote better AI governance.

As an important driving force leading a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial change, AI is already profoundly changing people's way of production, living and learning, and guests at the forum stressed the importance of ensuring the healthy, orderly and safe development of AI around the globe.

"Mankind has had challenges when we have powerful technologies and I feel confident with Al that the same type of dialogue, the same type of understanding of what the good uses are and accelerating those will make sure it's a net benefit," said Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and and co-chairman of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

"It's upon us to decide how we use them, to control the use of AI technology. For the good of mankind, the answer is very simple," said Joseph Sifakis, a 2007 Turing Award winner and founder of the Verimag Laboratory.

"Technology can make our lives better. But we have to make sure that technology is used to make our lives better, not to kill us," said Martin Hellman, a 2015 Turing Award winner and professor emeritus of electrical engineering at Stanford University.

"For our cooperation, the priority right now is to work together for the regulation [of AI]," said former French prime minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin.

"I think the global community has a responsibility to try to maximize these positive implications and aspects and to minimize all the negative ones. And [the CMG] forum is a good example of efforts needed," said Esko Aho, the former Finnish prime minister.

Media representatives also stressed that the global media community should collaborate closely to establish better rules and regulations around AI, while also giving full play to its strengths in the journalism sector.

"It is crucial for the global media to work together to ensure that the use of AI is transparent, well-regulated and does nothing to harm our editorial integrity," said Fabrice Fries, chairman and CEO of Agence France-Presse (AFP), a leading global news agency headquartered in Paris.

"We are looking forward to working together with CMG on the responsible use of AI and minimizing the potential risk factors in future," said Prakash Babu Paudel, chairman of Nepal's Ray Television.

"I also look forward to the in-depth cooperation between the African media community and China Media Group in the field of AI," said Chris Isiguzo, president of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.

"Artificial Intelligence is conducted within ethical norms. This is what we and our Chinese friends are committed to doing in many global frameworks," said Abdullah Alghamdi, president of the Saudi Data and AI Authority.

"The China Media Group is not only leading in the use of AI technology, but also in sharing its experience with media around the globe on how to turn challenges into opportunities," said Sudruetai Lertkasem, director-general of the Government Public Relations Department of Thailand.

"I am full of confidence in the vision of the China Media Group to strengthen cooperation in the field of Artificial Intelligence," said Wen Yonggang, a fellow at the Academy of Engineering Singapore.

The forum also saw the launch of an AI Governance Media Action Initiative. Joined by leading media groups from Asia, Europe, Africa, Latin America and Arab states, the iniaitive stressed using AI for technology empowering, industry supervision, media credibility, safe development, in-depth cooperation and responsibility sharing.

Global figures, media call for enhanced AI governance at China Media Group Forum

A Chinese mainland spokesperson said Lai Ching-te has sent "a dangerous signal" of seeking "Taiwan independence" and making provocations to undermine cross-Strait peace and stability in his speech upon assuming the role of Taiwan region's new leader on Monday.

Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, described Lai's speech as one that stubbornly followed the "Taiwan independence" stance, wantonly advocated separatism, incited cross-Strait confrontation and sought independence by relying on foreign support and by force.

Chen said the mainstream public aspiration on the island is for peace and development, instead of war and recession, while Lai has ignored the public opinion, exposing his nature of being "a worker for Taiwan independence."

The current complex and grave situation across the Strait is rooted in the fact that the Democratic Progressive Party has stubbornly stuck to the separatist stance of "Taiwan independence," rejected the 1992 Consensus that embodies the one-China principle, and kept colluding with external forces to make provocations of seeking "Taiwan independence," Chen said.

Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, said Chen, stressing that "Taiwan independence" and peace across the Strait are incompatible as fire and water.

"We have firm determination to resolve the Taiwan question and realize national reunification; we have strong capabilities to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity; and we will take resolute actions to fight separatist activities seeking 'Taiwan independence' and external interference," he said.

"We will never tolerate any 'Taiwan independence' separatist acts in any form," said Chen.

China must and will be reunified, Chen stressed. No matter how the situation on the island changes and who assumes the regional leader, it will not change the fact that both sides of the Strait belong to one China, or impede the historical trend of national reunification, he said.

"We will fully implement the Party's overall policy for resolving the Taiwan question in the new era, unswervingly uphold the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, work together with Taiwan compatriots to promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and cross-Strait integrated development, and resolutely advance the reunification of the motherland," said Chen.

Mainland says Lai sends "dangerous signal" in speech as Taiwan's new leader