China says it’s a responsible force in AI, but most Americans see US leadership as crucial
Recent capacity-building forum in Shanghai and poll of Americans highlight contrasting takes on a focal point in the China-US tech rivalry
Beijing arrived at its assessment this week as China hosted a workshop on AI capacity building, the third of its kind in two years. The week-long event in Shanghai attracted participants from more than 20 countries. Details of the discussions were not disclosed.
“Artificial intelligence is the culmination of human wisdom and should not be reduced to a game for the wealthy and affluent,” Sun Xiaobo, a senior Chinese diplomat, told the forum on Monday, taking a veiled swipe at Washington.
Foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun on Tuesday said the event showed China’s credibility and responsibility as a major country, noting the AI workshop would “jointly discuss and promote AI’s inclusive development and global governance”.
“Let the achievement of modernisation, including artificial intelligence technology, benefit people across the world,” Guo added. “It provides new opportunities for global development through China’s unique modernisation achievements.”