• Xi Jinping emphasized international cooperation in AI development at the WAIC in Shanghai.
• China aims to challenge US dominance in AI technology and governance.
• The newly formed WAICO includes 29 countries and seeks to regulate AI for equitable access.
• Chinese AI models are increasingly competitive with US offerings, attracting global interest.
• Xi advocates for a "people-centric" approach and integration of safety measures in AI usage.

During the opening of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, Chinese President Xi Jinping underscored that artificial intelligence should not be dominated by any single country, urging enhanced international cooperation to foster equitable development of the technology. Xi stated, "AI development should not be a solo performance by a single country, but a symphony of international cooperation," highlighting the rising capabilities of Chinese AI models to rival US technologies due to their accessibility and affordability, according to channelnewsasia and bangkokpost.

Xi's call for global AI collaboration comes amid growing tensions surrounding technology control, particularly as the United States and European Union impose restrictions on Chinese technology imports citing national security concerns. Xi remarked, "We should jointly oppose overstretching the national security concept in the field of AI or placing one country's security over that of others," emphasizing the need to create a balanced global framework for AI governance, according to aljazeera and npr.

At the WAIC, the formation of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) was announced. This intergovernmental organization, which includes representatives from 29 countries, aims to facilitate international cooperation on AI regulations. Xi indicated that over the next five years, China will offer 5,000 training opportunities in AI to developing nations, thus promoting capacity building to prevent "new historical injustices," as reported by reuters and aljazeera.

Furthermore, Xi's speech projected a vision wherein China's open-source models provide a counterbalance to the proprietary technologies predominantly offered by US firms. He posited that AI development offers a "historic opportunity" for collaboration across the Global South, thereby reshaping global technological dynamics and governance frameworks, as detailed by channelnewsasia and reuters.

As China endeavors to solidify its status as a leader in the AI sector, analysts suggest that it aims to influence future global AI regulations through WAICO, leveraging its technological advancements and investment strategies to foster its vision of a collaborative international AI landscape. China's approach is increasingly seen as a strategic counter to US initiatives in AI governance and technology, according to npr and aljazeera.