At the third Belt and Road Forum held on 17 October in Beijing, China unveiled its “Global Artificial Intelligence Governance Initiative”. The initiative reflects China’s approach to AI governance, which centers on prioritizing people’s interests and respecting other countries’ national sovereignty. It also stresses the core principles for countries to adhere to in AI governance, including, ensuring the security, reliability, controllability, and fairness of AI technology.
In the initiative, China acknowledges the widening divide in global AI governance, placing a strong emphasis on supporting developing countries. This strategic move has the potential to yield additional economic benefits for China, particularly in the global south, thereby bolstering Beijing’s leadership among developing countries.
The initiative aligns with China’s consistent proposition in the governance of emerging digital technologies, with a particular focus on security and controllability. However, it also embraces a spirit of global cooperation in developing AI norms, standards, and regulatory frameworks through broad consensus among nations, international organizations, enterprises, research institutes, civil organizations, and individuals.
During the second TC260 Standards Week in 2023, which was held from 1~4 November, Mr. Gao Lin, director of the Cybersecurity Coordination Bureau of CAC, proposed his considerations for implementing and promoting Global AI Governance Initiative in practice, including:
- Refer to the initiative as a guiding framework for the development of standards
- Incorporate the initiative as a key component of international cooperation and exchanges
- Organize research activities and discussions on the initiative at major events
- Promote the initiative across various platforms and occasions.
The full text of the Global AI Governance Initiative, offered by CAC in both Chinese and English, can be accessed from the following link: http://www.cac.gov.cn/2023-10/18/c_1699291032884978.htm
