Chinese President Xi Jinping warned against creating “new historical injustices” in the era of artificial intelligence on July 17, calling for greater support for AI adoption in the Global South and a more open, inclusive approach to AI development. Addressing the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, Xi positioned Beijing as a champion of AI openness while urging governments to keep the technology “secure and controllable.”
Xi’s speech, his first in-person appearance at the event since its launch in 2018, came shortly after US President Donald Trump delivered a prime-time national broadcast accusing China of orchestrating “the largest compromise of election data in history.” The Chinese leader’s presence at the conference signaled Beijing’s intention to elevate AI from a domestic tech priority to a pillar of geopolitical strategy amid an intensifying US-China tech rivalry.
What did Xi Jinping say about AI governance?
Xi called on countries to “jointly oppose overstretching the national security concept in the field of AI or placing one country’s security over that of others.” The remarks took aim at the growing securitisation of AI, particularly the export controls and corporate blacklists that have constrained access to advanced technologies.
He also framed AI as a matter of historical responsibility, warning that mishandling its development could create new injustices on a global scale. The language of “new historical injustices” was a rare framing from a Chinese leader on a technology issue, tying AI policy to the kind of moral and political language Beijing typically reserves for sovereignty, development rights, and critiques of Western-led international order.
Why was Xi’s appearance significant?
The World AI Conference is China’s largest annual event for the AI industry. Xi’s first in-person attendance since 2018 was widely read as a signal of Beijing’s ambition to lead global AI governance at a time when the technology has become a central front in US-China competition.
By appearing in person, Xi elevated the conference beyond a trade show or industry gathering into a venue for articulating China’s preferred model of AI development, one that contrasts with the more restrictive approach associated with Washington.
How does this fit into US-China AI rivalry?
The speech landed against a backdrop of escalating tech tensions. Trump’s broadcast remarks against Beijing, which included the allegation of an unprecedented election-data compromise, underscored how AI and data security have become flashpoints in the broader bilateral relationship.
Xi’s call for openness, combined with his push to reserve AI’s benefits for the Global South, was framed as an alternative to an environment in which access to advanced technologies is shaped by national-security restrictions and corporate blacklists. The message was aimed at audiences beyond the United States, particularly developing countries that Beijing has courted through its digital silk road and other tech diplomacy initiatives.
What is the World Artificial Intelligence Conference?
The World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) is China’s flagship annual AI gathering, launched in 2018 and held in Shanghai. It brings together government officials, industry executives, researchers, and international delegations. The 2026 edition served as the platform for Xi’s most direct articulation to date of China’s stance on AI governance, security, and global access.
FAQ
What did Xi Jinping say about AI at the 2026 World AI Conference?
Xi Jinping warned against creating “new historical injustices” in the AI era and called for greater support for AI adoption in the Global South. He urged countries to avoid overstretching national-security concepts in AI and to pursue a more open, inclusive approach to development.
Why was Xi’s attendance at the WAIC significant?
It was his first in-person appearance at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference since it launched in 2018. The address signaled Beijing’s intention to lead global AI governance and to elevate AI from a domestic tech priority to a pillar of geopolitical strategy.
How did Xi’s AI speech relate to US-China tensions?
The speech came shortly after US President Donald Trump delivered a prime-time broadcast accusing China of orchestrating “the largest compromise of election data in history.” Xi’s call for AI openness and opposition to security-driven export controls was framed as a contrast to the more restrictive US approach.
This article summarizes reporting from scmp.com. See our editorial disclaimer for how our articles are produced.
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