The 2025 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance convened in Shanghai from July 26 to 28, drawing over 1,200 industry leaders, government officials, researchers, and investors from 30 countries under the theme “Global Solidarity in the AI Era.” At the summit, China unveiled a detailed Global AI Governance Action Plan calling for unprecedented international cooperation in the development, regulation, and ethical management of artificial intelligence.
The action plan emphasises AI as a transformative frontier for humanity that offers vast opportunities while presenting significant risks and challenges. It calls for joint efforts among governments, international organisations, enterprises, research institutions, and civil society to advance AI innovations responsibly and inclusively.
Key highlights of the action plan include:
- Promoting AI as a global public good aligned with sustainable development goals and the United Nations Pact for the Future.
- Encouraging open, cross-border collaboration on digital infrastructure, AI innovation, and the creation of open-source ecosystems to lower technological barriers and enhance accessibility.
- Prioritising AI applications across diverse sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, smart cities, and climate change mitigation.
- Advocating sustainable AI development with energy-efficient technologies, green computing, and environmental responsibility.
- Supporting the lawful, secure, and ethical flow of high-quality data globally while safeguarding privacy and eliminating bias.
- Strengthening international standards and norms through multilateral dialogue involving organisations like ITU, ISO, and IEC.
- Calling for public sector leadership in deploying and governing AI, ensuring regular safety assessments and intellectual property protection.
- Implementing robust AI safety governance frameworks that include risk assessment, emergency response, and traceability systems to prevent misuse.
- Emphasising capacity building for developing countries, focusing on narrowing digital divides and enhancing AI literacy, especially among women and children.
- Advocating inclusive multi-stakeholder governance models promoting global dialogue, transparency, and shared innovation.
Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives, H.E. Kong Xianhua, highlighted that the action plan reflects China’s commitment to multilateralism, bridging the AI divide, and promoting AI for the benefit of all humanity, especially the Global South.
This ambitious roadmap aims to foster a safe, equitable, and innovative AI-driven future by rallying global solidarity and cooperation.