At the APEC summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed establishing an international body to regulate artificial intelligence (AI). He suggested the formation of a World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization to set global standards and encourage collaboration. Xi emphasized that AI should be treated as a “public good” that benefits all nations, according to China’s state-run news agency Xinhua.
Xi stressed the crucial role AI will play in future development and proposed it should be used for the collective good of all people. The organization, he suggested, could be based in Shanghai, China’s economic center.
This proposal underscores China’s ambition to dominate global AI governance. While the U.S. has been reluctant to embrace international regulations on emerging technologies, Xi’s vision calls for a multilateral approach to AI development.
The meeting took place in the absence of U.S. President Donald Trump, who had left after his bilateral talks with Xi. These talks resulted in a temporary agreement aimed at easing trade and technology restrictions between the two largest economies.
During the summit, Xi also pushed for APEC members to support the free flow of green technologies, including solar panels and batteries, areas where China holds significant influence. A joint declaration was approved, covering issues such as AI and the aging population.
Looking ahead, China is set to host the next APEC summit in 2026 in Shenzhen, a city known for its rapid transformation from a fishing village to an innovation powerhouse.
