Seventy years since the composition of the term Artificial Intelligence (AI), the world has made significant progress in making that technology a reality, turning what seemed science fiction into “science friction” with ethics and safety. A new wave of systemic change driven by AI is washing across all the continental shores of Earth. At the recent July 17 World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO) summit in Shanghai, China stepped up to lead the world in devising joint strategies for building a just and equitable system for global AI governance.
China recognises the utility of promoting AI for the positive and beneficial application of its power for humanity. Various technological leaps have reshaped the course of human history. The Industrial Revolution was heralded by the invention of the steam engine. Modern society was transformed greatly by the widespread extension of electricity. The entire world was closely connected and linked by the birth of the internet. With the AI revolution, we are witnessing major changes never before comprehended. Industrial transformation is beginning to increase at scales off the charts. We are entering a period of unprecedented global innovation supported by AI.
Therefore, we now face critical governance responsibilities that are carried by the immense opportunities and challenges of AI. The questions of our time, as asked with clarity by Chinese President Xi Jinping, are:
How to get along with thinking machines?
How to ensure security when the algorithm is part of decision-making?
How to tackle ethical challenges through technologies through adaptive governance? and
How to realise AI for all when the divide keeps widening?
These questions cannot be answered by any single country. They deserve the attention of the whole global community.
China proposes that the world should take a people-centred approach in developing AI for the good of humanity, whereby AI is treated as a key enabler of shared prosperity and common security. Xi is keen to join hands with other leaders to build a just and equitable global AI governance system.
China has a few propositions to make this vision a reality, as eloquently articulated by the insightful Xi Jinping.
The first proposition is on adhering to the principle of openness and win-win cooperation to boost innovation-driven development. There is a recognition that AI is moving from just being a digital tool to having a real-world impact in physical application, making it a new engine of world economic growth and an accelerator for the shift of growth drivers. China proposes that we harness this rare, historic opportunity to encourage open source, openness, collaboration and sharing of AI power. It suggests the coordination of efforts in transforming and upgrading traditional industries, the cultivation and growth of emerging industries and forward-looking planning for future industries, so that all sectors and businesses can benefit from AI.
The second proposal is for the strengthening of risk awareness and ensuring that AI is secure and controllable. This involves a critical handling of the inherent and secondary risks of AI. Beijing proposes that we establish laws and regulations, technological monitoring, early warning and emergency response systems in order to strengthen the line of security, prevent abuses and malicious use, and ensure that AI is always under the oversight and direction of humans.
Thirdly, China is championing the principle of inclusiveness rather than inclusivity and the promotion of mutual learning between civilisations. This will uphold the diversity of world civilisations and the uniqueness of cultures around the world, and also inhibit the risk of AI eroding this diversity.
The final proposition China has unveiled is advocating for solidarity and improving global governance. It recognises AI as an invaluable asset that encapsulates humanity’s collective wisdom. It is encouraging for multilateralism and the recognition of the important role of the UN. It is calling for alignment and coordination in the strategies for developing AI. This will enable us to build a consensus-based global governance framework with rules and technical standards guiding AI development. President Xi has more particularly argued that the world “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 writer is a research fellow at the Development Watch Centre.
