China pushes for global AI cooperation as U.S. prioritizes domestic innovation and deregulation

At this year’s World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, humanoid robots engaged in a dramatic boxing match, drawing attention from attendees. However, the more critical debate lies in the contrasting approaches of the U.S. and China toward global AI governance. Organized with support from the Chinese government, the conference’s theme—“global solidarity in the AI era”—highlighted Beijing’s push for international collaboration, while the U.S. has taken a more isolationist stance. Chinese Premier Li Qiang emphasized the need for a unified global framework during his keynote, stating that AI governance remains fragmented due to differing regulatory priorities and institutional rules. He called for a new international organization to address challenges like disinformation, economic inequality, and risks of losing human control over advanced systems. “We should strengthen coordination to form a global AI governance framework with broad consensus as soon as possible,” he said, speaking in Chinese. In contrast, U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent “AI Action Plan” and executive orders focused on reducing regulatory hurdles for American AI firms. During a Wednesday address, Trump declared the U.S. would prioritize leading the global AI race, framing the policies as a way to empower companies like OpenAI, Meta, and Google DeepMind. These entities had previously advocated for deregulation, praising the move as a boost to innovation. Yet, the absence of stringent oversight in the U.S. raises concerns about its long-term impact on society. Prominent AI figures, including OpenAI’s Sam Altman, Google DeepMind’s Demis Hassabis, and Anthropic’s Dario Amodei, had previously urged for global regulation in 2023. Their statement emphasized that mitigating existential risks from AI—such as loss of control or catastrophic misuse—should be treated as a priority akin to pandemics or nuclear threats. Geoffrey Hinton, often called the “Godfather of AI,” echoed these concerns at the Shanghai conference. He noted that while most nations agree AI should not surpass human control, achieving broader international cooperation remains challenging. “Few countries agree on basics like how misinformation should be policed,” he said. However, he suggested that consensus on preserving human oversight could be a starting point, though he doubted the current U.S. administration’s willingness to engage. “It may be difficult with the current US administration,” he remarked, adding that “rational countries will collaborate on that.” The U.S. approach, which prioritizes domestic deregulation and a “America First” philosophy, risks complicating global efforts. While the EU has proposed its own regulatory framework, and China advocates for multilateral coordination, the Trump administration’s focus on loosening restrictions could hinder progress toward shared standards. Industry leaders warn that without coordinated governance, AI’s risks—ranging from job displacement to autonomous weapons—could spiral out of control. Hinton’s comments underscore the urgency of balancing innovation with safeguards, even as geopolitical divides deepen. As the race for AI dominance intensifies, the question remains: Can the world unite to address shared challenges, or will competing national interests fracture efforts to ensure safe, equitable development?