Chinese President Xi Jinping has positioned China as a leading artificial intelligence partner for developing countries, calling for greater international cooperation and warning against excessive security restrictions that could limit access to advanced technologies.
Speaking at the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, Xi said AI should remain an open and inclusive technology that benefits all countries rather than becoming the preserve of a few advanced economies.
He urged countries to strengthen cooperation in AI research, innovation and governance to ensure the technology contributes to global development.
Xi warned against what he described as the over-securitisation of artificial intelligence, arguing that excessive national security restrictions could hinder technological progress and widen the digital divide between developed and developing economies.
While he did not directly mention the United States, his remarks were widely seen as a response to US export controls on advanced semiconductors and AI technologies destined for China.
The Chinese leader said developing countries should have equal opportunities to access artificial intelligence infrastructure, computing resources and technical expertise. He pledged that China would expand cooperation through technology sharing, talent development and joint research programmes to help emerging economies build their own AI capabilities.
Xi’s speech came a day after 29 countries signed an agreement in Shanghai establishing the World AI Cooperation Organization, a new intergovernmental body aimed at strengthening international collaboration on artificial intelligence. China has presented the organisation as a platform for developing common AI standards, encouraging innovation and supporting responsible governance of the rapidly evolving technology.
China has been accelerating investment in artificial intelligence despite increasing restrictions on access to advanced chips and semiconductor manufacturing equipment imposed by the United States and its allies. The country has prioritised domestic AI development while seeking stronger partnerships with emerging economies across Africa, Asia and Latin America.
The conference brought together government officials, technology companies and researchers to discuss the future of AI development, regulation and international cooperation. Chinese officials used the event to highlight the country’s progress in generative AI, robotics and industrial automation while emphasising the need for global governance frameworks that encourage innovation without restricting technological access.
Xi’s remarks underscore China’s ambition to shape the global conversation around artificial intelligence as geopolitical competition over the technology intensifies. By promoting itself as an alternative AI partner for developing countries, Beijing is seeking to expand its technological influence while advocating a governance model that prioritises international cooperation, broader access to innovation and fewer restrictions on the cross-border development of artificial intelligence.
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Emmanuel Abara Benson is a business journalist and editor covering artificial intelligence, global markets, and emerging technology.
He has previously worked with Business Insider Africa and Nairametrics, reporting on finance, startups, and innovation.
His work focuses on AI, digital economy, and global tech trends.
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