China's AI governance plans hailed amid rising global regulatory challenges

As rapid advancements in artificial intelligence pose growing legal and regulatory challenges worldwide, experts are calling for stronger global cooperation to build a more just and equitable AI governance framework, highlighting China's AI governance initiatives as a significant contribution to these global efforts.

These remarks were made at a conference on global AI governance held in Beijing on July 25. The meeting, themed "Building a Global Compact in the Intelligent Age: Consensus, Responsibility and Cooperation", was hosted by the Cyber and Information Law Society under the China Law Society and organized by the University of International Business and Economics. It brought together scholars and industry experts from around the world to discuss frontier issues in global AI governance, rule-making, and cross-border collaboration mechanisms.

Wang Hongxiang, executive vice-president of the China Law Society, said the rapid iteration and extensive application of AI technologies have brought a host of new scenarios and challenges to traditional legal frameworks.

He emphasized the necessity for legal frameworks not only to address domestic technological development problems and application issues but also to monitor the evolution and impact of international rules, with the goal of fostering a more just and equitable global AI governance system.

Wang highlighted China's sustained efforts in promoting global AI governance by reviewing a host of AI governance initiatives and action plans China has unveiled in recent years.

Since rolling out the Global AI Governance Initiative in 2023, China has provided a series of global public goods, aimed at using AI for good and advancing inclusive global AI governance. These include promoting the adoption of the resolution entitled "Enhancing International Cooperation on Capacity-building of Artificial Intelligence" at the UN General Assembly, proposing the AI Capacity-Building Action Plan for Good and for All and advocating the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization.

China's AI governance initiatives demonstrate its sincere willingness to work with all countries to advance the inclusive development of AI under the vision of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, said Wang.

David Aptsiauri, visiting professor of the University of International Business and Economics and former ambassador of Georgia to China, said that while the development of AI technology will bring new opportunities, a lack of oversight could conversely lead to negative consequences.

Aptsiauri noted that the impact of AI now extends to individuals, nations, and regions at all levels, and the pace of technological development far outstrips the speed at which legal frameworks can be established.

Citing the white paper titled "More Just and Equitable Global Governance: China's Principles, Proposals and Actions", released by China in June, he emphasized that the law of the jungle seriously undermines the international rule of law, and called for accelerating the formulation of international rules to better regulate the current state.

Rapid evolution

He Bo, director of the Internet Law Research Center at the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, observed that global AI governance mechanisms are undergoing rapid evolution yet increasingly falling into fragmentation.

The Global AI Governance Action Plan proposed by China last year has provided a governance approach that balances development, security and advances governance measures, he said.

The foreign-related rule of law large model named Legal Compass was officially launched at the conference. The large model is expected to provide professional support for cross-border dispute resolution, judicial assistance, overseas compliance of enterprises and research on foreign-related law studies.

yangran1@chinadaily.com.cn