19 July 2026

The Principles for the Development of AI Given by Xi Jinping in 2026 World AI Conference

2026世界人工智能大会暨人工智能全球治理高级别会议

2026 WORLD AI CONFERENCE &HIGH-LEVEL MEETING ON GLOBAL AI GOVERNANCE

A top leader gives the vision, set the directions and the boundaries. 

Summary of Xi Jinping's AI Speech

Main Theme

Xi Jinping presented Artificial Intelligence as a transformative technology that should benefit all humanity, calling for international cooperation, global governance, openness, safety, and inclusiveness, while positioning China as a major leader in global AI development.


Key Messages

1. AI is the Next Great Technological Revolution

Xi compared AI with previous world-changing innovations:

  • Steam engine → Industrial Revolution
  • Electricity → Modern society
  • Internet → Global connectivity
  • AI → Next leap in human civilization

He argues AI will fundamentally reshape:

  • economies
  • industries
  • work
  • daily life
  • international development

2. AI Brings Great Opportunities—but Also Serious Risks

He identified several major challenges:

  • Human coexistence with intelligent machines
  • AI decision-making
  • Algorithmic safety
  • Ethical issues
  • Growing digital divide
  • AI governance

His message:

Humanity must answer these questions together.


Four Principles for Global AI Governance

1. Openness & Win-Win Cooperation

Countries should:

  • encourage open-source AI
  • collaborate internationally
  • share technology
  • promote industrial AI applications
  • modernize traditional industries
  • develop future industries

Goal:

AI should become a new engine of global economic growth.


2. Security & Human Control

AI should always remain:

  • safe
  • trustworthy
  • controllable

Countries should develop:

  • laws
  • regulations
  • monitoring systems
  • early warning systems
  • emergency responses

He also criticized excessive national security restrictions that prevent international AI cooperation.


3. Inclusiveness & Cultural Diversity

AI should:

  • respect different civilizations
  • preserve cultural diversity
  • encourage dialogue
  • promote mutual understanding
  • reflect humanity's common values

Rather than replacing cultures, AI should help civilizations learn from one another.


4. Global Governance

Xi called for:

  • multilateral cooperation
  • stronger UN leadership
  • common technical standards
  • shared governance rules
  • helping developing nations bridge the AI gap

He stressed that AI should become a global public good, not an exclusive advantage for a few countries.


China's AI Strategy

Xi highlighted China's domestic AI progress.

According to the speech:

  • AI industry exceeds 1 trillion RMB
  • Smart devices are improving daily life
  • Intelligent manufacturing is expanding rapidly
  • China combines:
    • government planning
    • market forces
    • innovation
    • AI+ initiatives

He emphasized China is simultaneously strengthening:

  • AI laws
  • ethics
  • governance
  • safety standards

China's International Commitments

Xi described several initiatives already launched:

  • Global AI Governance Initiative
  • UN AI cooperation resolution
  • AI Capacity Building Action Plan
  • AI+ International Cooperation Initiative

He also promoted the newly established:

WAICO (World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization)

which he described as an important milestone for international AI cooperation.


New Commitments Announced

China pledged that over the next five years it will:

  • Train 5,000 AI professionals from developing countries.
  • Build AI cooperation centers with:
    • ASEAN
    • Arab League
    • African Union
    • CELAC
    • Shanghai Cooperation Organization
    • BRICS
  • Provide AI-powered meteorological warning system ("Mazu") to 30 countries.

These initiatives are aimed at reducing the AI divide, particularly for the Global South.


Closing Philosophy

Xi quoted an ancient Chinese saying:

"A man of wisdom adapts to changes. A man of knowledge acts according to circumstances."

He concluded that AI should always be:

  • for good
  • for humanity
  • guided by human wisdom
  • governed through international consensus

Core Themes

ThemeXi's Position
AI DevelopmentAccelerate globally
Open SourceEncourage openness and collaboration
AI SafetyHuman-controlled, regulated AI
EthicsAI should reflect shared human values
Global GovernanceUN-centered multilateral framework
Digital DivideHelp developing countries catch up
CulturePreserve diversity and mutual learning
China's RoleLeader, contributor, and provider of AI public goods

Overall Takeaway

Xi Jinping's speech presents AI as both an engine of economic growth and a strategic global governance challenge. Its central message is that AI should not become a tool of geopolitical rivalry or technological monopoly, but should instead be developed through international cooperation, shared standards, safety, inclusiveness, and support for developing nations. At the same time, the speech underscores China's ambition to play a leading role in shaping the future global AI ecosystem through domestic investment, multilateral initiatives, and international capacity-building.

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Leadership is

Leadership AttributeEvidence from Speech
Visionary70-year perspective
StrategicLong-term AI planning
InnovativeScientific breakthroughs
Learning-orientedContinuous research
CollaborativeInternational cooperation
ResponsibleAI ethics and governance
WiseBalance innovation with regulation
Service-orientedTechnology benefits humanity
InclusiveShared development
Systems ThinkerEconomy–society–security integration
Talent DeveloperEducation and scientists
Globally MindedCommunity with a shared future
ResilientDecades of persistence
DisciplinedResponsible AI governance

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A Possible Leadership Formula

Vision + Innovation + Talent + Ethics + Collaboration + Long-Term Thinking = Sustainable National Leadership

Or, in a style that resonates with both classical Chinese thought and modern management:

"Lead with wisdom, innovate with courage, govern with integrity, develop people, collaborate globally, and ensure technology always serves humanity."

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