Chinese President Outlines Four Principles for Global AI Development
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday outlined four key principles for the development and governance of artificial intelligence (AI) while delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai.
- 1. Promote openness and innovation: Xi called for greater open-source collaboration, knowledge sharing and international cooperation to accelerate AI innovation, industrial growth and practical applications.
- 2. Ensure AI safety and human control: He emphasized stronger risk management, stressing that AI must remain under human control. Xi also urged countries to avoid expanding national security concerns into AI or prioritizing one nation’s security at the expense of others.
- 3. Protect cultural diversity: Xi said AI development should be inclusive and should respect the diversity of civilizations and the unique cultures of all nations.
- 4. Strengthen global governance: He advocated a stronger coordinating role for the United Nations, urging countries to align AI development strategies, governance frameworks and technical standards.
Highlighting the need for global cooperation, Xi said, “We must carry out extensive international cooperation and help Global South countries with capacity building to bridge the AI and digital divides, promote sustainable development and prevent creating new historical injustice in AI.”
The conference brought together heads of state, government leaders, international organizations and global delegates. Xi also hosted a welcoming banquet alongside his wife, Peng Liyuan, for visiting dignitaries attending the event.
