China playing "constructive" role in advancing global AI collaboration, governance: scholar

China is playing a key and constructive role in fostering global collaboration on the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and the governance of digital technology, according to a New York-based scholar, who said the country is giving a "voice" to the developing world.

As one of the global leaders in the development of AI, China has drawn particular attention to the need for better global governance of this fast-evolving technology and in July, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a China-led resolution on international cooperation involving AI development.

Titled 'enhancing international cooperation on capacity-building of artificial intelligence', the resolution called for adhering to principles that are people-centered, promote the greater good and benefit humanity as a whole. It also urged concrete actions to help all countries, especially developing nations, to enhance their AI capabilities.

Its adoption came shortly UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres proposed the 'Global Digital Compact', a comprehensive framework for global governance of digital technology and AI, with an aim to mitigate the risks of digital technologies.

Giving his assessment on the importance of managing the development of such new technologies, Waheguru Sidhu, a senior fellow at New York University's Center on International Cooperation, said these the global consensus which has been reached on AI governance highlights China's pivotal role in driving international AI collaboration.

"China is certainly making a concerted effort to emerge as a voice of the developing world, but also as an alternative, if you like, to the Western narrative on all things related to the Global Digital Compact or 'digital', which has become the catchphrase for all the new developments, including artificial intelligence, cyber, quantum, etc. And I think it's fair to say that if you look at the Global Digital Compact, China's role has been quite constructive," said Sidhu.

In a speech at the G20 Summit in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro last month, Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed that international governance and cooperation on AI should be strengthened, to make sure that AI is used for good and for all, and noted that China will hold another world AI conference in 2025.

China playing "constructive" role in advancing global AI collaboration, governance: scholar

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday presided over a symposium to solicit opinions and suggestions on the draft government work report and the draft outline of China's 15th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development.

Li, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, heard opinions and suggestions on the two documents from leaders of the central committees of non-CPC political parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), and representatives of personages without party affiliation.

On economic and social development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), representatives at the symposium offered suggestions on strengthening macroeconomic regulation, building a robust domestic market, fostering new quality productive forces, deepening reform and opening-up, and safeguarding and improving people's livelihoods.

Li said the opinions and suggestions offered were valuable and expressed appreciation for their support of the government's work.

He stressed that this year marks the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan period, uncertainties in the external environment are on the rise, and risks and challenges remain in the country's economic development.

He called for pursuing more proactive and effective macroeconomic policies, strengthening coordination between reform measures and macro policies, and promoting higher-quality economic growth while achieving an appropriate increase in economic output.

Li expressed the hope that non-CPC political parties, the ACFIC and personages without party affiliation will continue to offer advice and suggestions actively, help address prominent challenges to development, and pool greater wisdom and strength in advancing high-quality economic and social development.

Chinese premier chairs symposium on draft gov't work report, five-year plan