International

Chinese President Calls for Ensuring AI Remains Under Human Control

In his speech at the World AI Conference 2026 and the High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai, east China..

Khalid Mejdoub

July 17, 2026 • Updated: July 17, 2026

RABAT

Rabat / Anadolu

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday called for ensuring that artificial intelligence remains under human control.

He made the remarks in a speech at the World AI Conference 2026 and the High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance, held in Shanghai, east China from July 17 to 20, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

The Chinese president also called on all parties to 'oppose the excessive expansion of the concept of national security in the field of AI or prioritizing one country's security at the expense of others.'

He considered that the world has 'entered an unprecedentedly active period of innovation in AI technologies, creating great opportunities and posing governance challenges.'

The Chinese president stressed 'the importance of encouraging open source, openness, cooperation, and sharing to promote technological innovation, industrial development, and the application of AI in various scenarios.'

He emphasized 'the need to enhance risk awareness and ensure the security and controllability of AI.'

The Chinese president affirmed 'the importance of recognizing the significant role played by the United Nations,' calling for more 'alignment and coordination on AI development strategies, governance rules, and technical standards.'

He said: 'We must conduct extensive international cooperation and help Global South countries enhance their capabilities, in order to narrow the AI and digital gaps, promote sustainable development, and prevent the creation of new historical injustice in the AI field.'

Despite the great benefits of AI, experts warn of its potential repercussions if controls are absent, which has led to growing interest in AI ethics and governance frameworks at the international level.

China is the world's fiercest competitor in the field of artificial intelligence. Its strategy is based on leading the new global order in this sector by reducing the operating cost of models, building open-source software systems, and rapidly expanding in robotics and embodied AI.

The value of China's core AI market exceeds 1.2 trillion yuan, equivalent to about 177 billion U.S. dollars, and the country has more than 6,200 active companies in this field, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China announced in March 2026.