Intl experts convene to align AI standards during WAIC 2025

The International Forum on Standardization of Artificial Intelligence was held on Saturday during the 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, gathering experts to address technical standards, ethical governance, and global collaboration.

Over 200 delegates from international organizations, governments, universities, research institutions, and enterprises convened to advance global consensus on AI standardization.

Shan Zhongde, vice-minister of industry and information technology, emphasized China's commitment to leveraging AI for new industrialization while strengthening cooperation with international standard technical organizations. "We'll continue to engage with the international community on AI ethics, legal standards, technology, and applications to promote global consensus," Shan said.

He highlighted three priorities for advancing AI governance, including building an inclusive global cooperation ecosystem, accelerating industrial AI applications, and enhancing security and mutual trust for global governance consensus.

Xiao Han, director of the standards innovation management department at the State Administration for Market Regulation, revealed that China has published several AI-related standards and plans to develop over 50 more by the end of next year, aligned with international standards where appropriate.

Zhang Ying, deputy secretary-general of Shanghai Municipal Government and director of Shanghai Economic and Information Technology Commission, introduced the city's systematic approach to developing the AI industry, highlighting Shanghai's commitment to pioneering AI development and governance through standardization.

Cho Sung-hwan,  president of the International Organization for Standardization, underscored how international standards ensure AI's orderly development, particularly in facilitating developing countries' participation in standards development. He emphasized the need for coordinated standards to build ethical, inclusive, and reliable AI systems for the public.

Bilel Jamoussi, deputy director of the telecommunication standardization bureau at the International Telecommunication Union, highlighted the importance of AI cooperation and standardization, noting that 69 Chinese organizations currently contribute to ITU's standardization activities.

A roundtable discussion explored global AI governance framework coordination and responsible AI standards consensus, with participants emphasizing the need for unified standards in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

The forum launched several initiatives, including AI-powered industry application governance, AI technology ethics and assessment, and global technical guidelines for industrial AI. It also unveiled 10 outstanding cases of AI enabling sustainable development, providing models for AI implementation across sectors.

The event was guided by the WAIC organizing committee and hosted by the Global Alliance on Artificial Intelligence for Industry and Manufacturing Center of Excellence, supported by the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Research Laboratory and China Electronics Standardization Institute, with the Bank of China's Shanghai branch as co-organizer.