Conferenza sull'IA a Shanghai: la Cina chiede più cooperazione

Chinese President Calls for Global Cooperation on AI Development On July 17, 2026, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized during the opening of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai that artificial intelligence should not be under the sole control of one country. Speaking before an audience of over 1,000 technology firms, researchers, and industry representatives, Xi called for international collaboration in developing AI while ensuring its safe and controlled use. He warned against the dangers of unequal access to the technology, which could lead to “new historical crimes,” and urged nations to work together to prevent abuse. The conference, held in Shanghai, featured more than 3,000 products on display, ranging from advanced semiconductor systems for AI computing to smartphones capable of managing applications autonomously. The event highlighted China’s growing influence in the field, with its AI models already surpassing some of the most powerful American counterparts. Despite this, concerns continue to rise regarding the potential misuse of AI for military purposes or by hackers and terrorist organizations. In his speech, Xi compared AI to the invention of the steam engine and electricity, underscoring its transformative potential. He envisioned China playing a leading role in both the development and governance of AI globally. To this end, he announced plans to share technological expertise and knowledge with countries in the Global South, particularly within the BRICS group, ASEAN, Latin America, and the African Union. This strategy aligns with broader efforts to position China as a key player in shaping international standards for AI regulation. A day prior to Xi’s address, China launched the World Organization for AI Cooperation (WAICO), an independent intergovernmental body modeled after the United Nations. The organization aims to promote international cooperation and shared management of AI, ensuring its beneficial, secure, and equitable development. It will be headquartered in Shanghai, with 29 founding member states including Kazakhstan, Laos, Pakistan, Russia, and Indonesia. UN Secretary-General António Guterres and representatives from other nations and international organizations attended the signing ceremony. Xi also criticized the so-called “iron curtain” of AI imposed by the United States, which has temporarily restricted access to certain advanced AI models. While he did not directly name specific countries, his remarks were widely interpreted as targeting the U.S., which has been accused of restricting AI technologies to maintain strategic advantages. In response, U.S. tech companies have alleged that Chinese firms illegally copied American technology to train their own models, though Chinese officials deny these claims. The competition between the two powers continues to intensify. At the same time, China is pushing forward with its own AI initiatives. On the opening day of the conference, a Beijing-based startup named Moonshot AI unveiled a new AI model called Kimi K3, boasting 2.8 trillion parameters, indicating high performance capabilities. This follows recent advancements by Chinese firms aiming to close the gap with U.S. leaders such as OpenAI and Anthropic, whose models are currently considered superior in handling complex tasks. Market analysts expect the competitive edge of U.S. developers to gradually diminish as Chinese AI models become stronger and more cost-effective. The establishment of WAICO signals a shift toward multilateral governance of AI, with China positioning itself as a central actor in shaping future regulations. As the world grapples with the ethical and security implications of rapidly evolving AI, the debate over who controls the technology, and how it should be used, remains a critical issue for global policymakers.