Pointing the way

The Global Governance Initiative can shed light on how to practice true multilateralism

Since its launch a year ago, the Global Governance Initiative has gained respect from various corners of the world. The initiative focuses on the realities of what the world's more than 8 billion people need now. Delivering real results is one of the core concepts of the Global Governance Initiative.

In recognition of its possibilities, the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus meeting in 2025, welcomed China's Global Governance Initiative and said that "it is anchored in multilateralism and underscores the importance of safeguarding the international system with the UN at its core and the international order underpinned by international law".

There are a host of complex issues affecting the world at the moment, but artificial intelligence has perhaps caused the most anxiety. The questions, challenges and opportunities associated with AI relate well to the Global Governance Initiative. One of the principles of the initiative connects to providing results that improve people's lives. No one doubts that AI has that potential; however, there are legitimate fears regarding AI's immoral, illegal or unethical use.

So, how can the Global Governance Initiative positively impact AI? Let's first consider how China has approached the establishment of AI. Instead of allowing for-profit tech giants to make them the domain of the rich and powerful, as is the case in the West, China has committed to an open-source formula. Such an approach allows individuals to download the Chinese-born models and adapt them to their requirements. China's approach is especially appealing throughout Africa because the products can be tailored to the continent's needs. China's willingness to openly share large models and technological breakthroughs could accelerate global innovation while giving it an edge over the closed tech ecosystems of other countries. The Chinese approach is simple: put affordable and adaptable cutting-edge technologies in people's hands and let them use them for economic or other positive pursuits; this idea is consistent with the Global Governance Initiative's people-centered approach. Results that benefit humanity will follow.

Next, China insists that ethical principles must be at the foundation of any AI-related activity. The country has established firm policies regarding favorable applications of AI; the goal is to ensure that companies operate with the public good as the critical priority. According to China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China issued a trial guideline on the ethics review and service of AI technology in April, encouraging the promotion of AI products and services that comply with scientific and technological ethics, and the protection of intellectual property rights in AI ethics review technologies.

The Global Governance Initiative also recognizes the need for consistent global development. In China's eyes, it is inappropriate in the 21st century for certain pockets of the world to continue to advance at the expense of any other region of the world. Let's examine how AI can benefit education, a foundational human right. China offers a reference for other nations to learn from. In April, the Ministry of Education launched an "AI+Education" action plan to accelerate AI education in primary and secondary schools, encourage interdisciplinary teaching and expand AI applications in classrooms. At the primary education level, the focus is on developing students' literacy with AI. As students enter junior high school, the emphasis is on enhancing application skills, which sets the stage for them to apply what they have learned. China's vision for AI empowering education includes enabling students to have more access to knowledge along with a personalized education.

Such an approach is supported by recent research. A systematic scoping review titled "Opportunities and barriers of AI in transforming education in developing regions", published on Discover Education in 2026 concluded that "AI-powered tools … demonstrate positive effects on personalized learning, teacher efficiency and student engagement" in a majority of studies that were examined. However, some concerns across the globe about some developing nations lacking the economic might and how infrastructure and internet deficiencies will limit the implementation of AI in classrooms cannot be ignored. Here, North-South cooperation between major countries such as the US and China along with other developing countries will be critical in order to close these gaps in some developing countries in the future. Viewed another way, the "haves" can help the "have-nots".

Whether it relates to open-source AI models, a realistic ethics framework for developing AI-associated projects or envisioning how AI can bolster the education of the next generation, China has advocated that AI be used for good. In short, AI should inspire people to grow businesses, enhance the skills development of children in school and adults in the workplace, and assist in determining how new creative ideas might flourish. Other nations can learn from China's practice and develop an approach based on their own national conditions to implementing AI for the right ends.

AI and other new technologies are changing the global landscape. The Global Governance Initiative can shed light on how to practice true multilateralism. And China has already indicated a commitment to cooperation in global governance.

The author is an associate professor at the Communication and Organizational Leadership Department at Robert Morris University in Pennsylvania, the United States.

The author contributed this article to China Watch, a think tank powered by China Daily. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

Contact the editor at editor@chinawatch.cn.