World AI Order: China Asks, Who’s Programming the Rules?

China has ignited a global discussion on artificial intelligence, unveiling an ambitious proposal for a worldwide body to oversee and guide the technology’s future. The announcement positions Beijing at the heart of fast-evolving talks about who should shape the rules for AI.

At the opening of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, Premier Li Qiang delivered a message that resonated far beyond China’s borders. He warned that "bottlenecks" in chip supply and technological monopolies risked turning AI into an exclusive domain controlled by a select few.

Beijing’s Vision for Global AI Governance

Li championed stronger international coordination, emphasizing the urgent need for a shared global framework for AI governance. His remarks pointed to the fragmented approach taken by countries so far and outlined China’s readiness to "contribute more Chinese wisdom to global artificial intelligence governance."

Soon after, China’s foreign ministry laid out a comprehensive 13-point plan for international AI regulation. Central to this are two new United Nations–aligned dialogue platforms and a robust safety framework, all aimed at bridging regulatory divides and fostering consensus.

Did you know?
China’s DeepSeek recently released an open-source large language model ranked among the world's most advanced, sparking global debate on tech leadership.

Open Innovation Versus Tech Rivalries

China’s proposal comes at a moment of fierce rivalry with the United States, which recently unveiled its strategy to solidify American dominance in AI. Washington’s approach focuses on accelerating domestic innovation and countering the reach of Chinese tech firms, particularly in multilateral settings.

Despite facing export restrictions on advanced US-made chips, Chinese groups like DeepSeek and Alibaba have made striking advances. International developers have widely noted their decision to open-source leading language models. These moves, while fostering technical exchange, have also raised US concerns about Silicon Valley’s future global standing.

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Geopolitics on the AI Stage

Xi Jinping’s government is framing AI collaboration as a matter of shared prosperity, underscoring plans to share technology with nations in the global south. The foreign ministry highlighted the attendance of representatives from over 40 countries and organizations at this year’s conference, a marked shift from the largely domestic focus of previous years.

Notably, the event drew global AI icons, including former Google chief Eric Schmidt and major scientists Geoffrey Hinton and Yoshua Bengio, signaling an industry-wide recognition of how the “AI rules question” is evolving.

The Road Ahead: Who Decides AI’s Destiny?

As powerful nations move to enshrine their values and standards within emerging AI regulations, the shape of a global consensus remains uncertain. China insists new forums and global dialogue mechanisms can carve a path toward shared oversight if others are willing to negotiate.

Ultimately, China's proposal tests whether international cooperation on AI is possible amid deepening tech competition. If realized, a global AI body could become one of the most consequential geopolitical developments of the digital era.