People-centered AI vision garners broad support

China's efforts to leverage the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance to boost global cooperation on AI development for public good and improve global AI governance have been commended by participants as a beacon of hope for a better world.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the four-day conference in Shanghai, President Xi Jinping announced on Friday the creation of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization and called for joint efforts to build a just and equitable system for global AI governance.

During a meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Shanghai on the same day, Maxim Oreshkin, deputy chief of staff of the Presidential Executive Office of Russia, said that Xi's keynote speech holds global significance, reflecting China's profound understanding and strategic vision regarding AI development.

Noting that the creation of the AI cooperation organization is a major China-proposed initiative that benefits the world, Oreshkin said that Russia highly appreciates the move and is very glad to become a founding member of the organization. He added that Russia looks forward to working hand in hand with China to expand cooperation in the AI field.

Luigi Gambardella, president and founder of ChinaEU, a Brussels-based international digital association, said that Xi's speech delivered a strong message that AI should become a bridge connecting countries, not a new dividing line.

"President Xi emphasized the importance of openness, cooperation and the need to work together to ensure that AI benefits all of humanity," Gambardella said. "China has shown its willingness to promote openness by creating a new platform where all countries are invited to exchange ideas, build trust and advance cooperation in this critical field."

Xi said in his speech that all countries should take a people-centered approach and develop AI for positive outcomes and greater good, and should ensure that AI is an important driver for shared prosperity and common security.

Jin Li, president of Fudan University in Shanghai, said that from the perspective of the progress of humanity and global common development, Xi recommended a people-centered approach that coordinates development and security, fosters open cooperation, encourages mutual learning between civilizations, and advocates solidarity and improving global governance.

This reflects China's commitment to global well-being and shared development, providing fundamental guidance for China's AI innovation and governance practices, while also pointing the way forward for the international community to deepen cooperation and build consensus, Jin added.

Xi said in his speech that the establishment of the AI cooperation organization is a major move by China to answer the call of the Global South and unite the international community to promote vigorously AI development and governance. Twenty-nine countries have signed the agreement on the organization's creation as its founding members.

Gambardella, the ChinaEU founder, said the mission of the AI cooperation organization should be to ensure that all countries have the opportunity to develop their own AI capabilities and have access to necessary infrastructure.

"China's contribution is particularly important in this respect because Chinese companies are helping to reduce the cost of AI technologies and make them more accessible," he said.

Hui Zhibin, a researcher at Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences and president of Shanghai Artificial Intelligence and Social Development Research Association, noted that since the introduction of the Global AI Governance Initiative in 2023, China has made continuous efforts to provide Chinese solutions, which includes the launch of the AI Capacity-Building Action Plan for Good and for All and the AI+ International Cooperation Initiative.

In the face of complex global challenges, China's efforts demonstrate its steadfast commitment to promoting multilateral dialogue, consultation and cooperation, Hui said.

As a global leader in AI development, China's core AI industries were worth over 1.2 trillion yuan ($177 billion) in 2025, while the number of AI enterprises nationwide exceeded 6,200, Xinhua News Agency reported.

China's open-source large AI models have been downloaded more than 10 billion times in total, continuing to create new and broader opportunities for global cooperation in AI innovation, according to the report.

Li Yanhong, founder and CEO of Chinese tech company Baidu Inc, said that China places great emphasis on AI growth, and has made long-term national plans for its healthy, safe and orderly progress with a clear development path.

With the world's richest application scenarios, a complete industrial chain and a vast market, China provides fertile ground for AI technologies and applications, driven by emerging real-world demands, Li said.

The nation focuses on integrating AI technology with the real economy, real-world scenarios and the needs of its people, forging a new path for smart economic development that is oriented by problem-solving and aimed at meeting real-world needs, he added.

The views don't necessarily reflect those of Qiushi Journal.