China AI action plan
The tech race between the world’s two largest economies has taken a significant step forward as China unveiled a global action plan for artificial intelligence (AI) during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai. Premier Li Qiang announced the proposal for the establishment of a global AI cooperation organization, emphasizing the importance of international collaboration in tech development and regulation.
This announcement comes in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent American action plan for AI, which focused on addressing alleged biases in AI models and supporting the deployment of U.S. tech overseas. George Chen, a partner at the Asia Group, noted that “two camps are now being formed” as China advocates for a multilateral approach while the U.S. aims to build its own camp to counter China’s advancements in AI.
Premier Li highlighted China’s “AI plus” initiative, which aims to integrate AI technology across various industries and offer assistance to other nations, particularly those in the Global South. This term refers to less developed economies outside the U.S. and European spheres of influence.
Despite efforts by the U.S. to restrict China’s access to advanced semiconductors for AI training, China has been developing its own alternatives. Nvidia, a U.S. chipmaker, recently resumed shipments of a less advanced chip to China after a temporary pause. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang praised China’s homegrown alternatives as “formidable” during his recent visit to the country.
In a show of international cooperation, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt met with Shanghai Party Secretary Chen Jining ahead of the AI conference. This meeting underscores the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing in the global AI landscape.
As the tech race between China and the U.S. heats up, it is clear that AI will play a crucial role in shaping the future of technology and innovation. The establishment of a global AI cooperation organization marks a significant step towards fostering collaboration and driving advancements in AI technology on a global scale.
