World powers push for international organization to manage AI development and regulation
China and the US Unveil contrasting AI Plans
China and the US have unveiled contrasting plans for the future of artificial intelligence (AI), with China focusing on multilateral cooperation and the US prioritizing national dominance.
On July 26, 2025, China revealed its 2025 Global AI Governance Action Plan. The plan, unveiled at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, sets out a 13-point roadmap for AI development. China's approach emphasizes AI as a "global public good" and calls for multilateral international cooperation, open-source collaboration, alignment with United Nations (UN) frameworks, and the early formation of a global AI governance framework to ensure safety, equity, and shared benefits worldwide. Shanghai is proposed as a global hub for AI governance.
In contrast, the US AI plan, while not publicly disclosed in its entirety, is believed to focus more on achieving and sustaining AI dominance with a race-oriented approach that prioritizes national security and leadership. The US strategy is characterized by comparatively less emphasis on multilateral governance or open-source collaboration and more on competition and deregulation for innovation acceleration.
China's plan also includes the sharing of crucial software and hardware such as semiconductors, and a push for greater co-operation on open-source technology through new transnational platforms and developer communities. High-level representatives from over 40 countries and international organizations are attending the AI conference and exhibition.
Li Qiang, China's top AI official, described AI as a new engine of economic growth and mentioned that AI innovation is hindered by "bottlenecks" such as the supply of computer chips. Li also took aim at "technological monopolies" and restrictions that could make AI an exclusive game for a few countries and companies.
In terms of open-source technology, China signals a strong willingness to share open-source AI technologies and products internationally to build a trusted and participatory AI ecosystem. This openness is part of a broader strategy to bridge technological divides and promote equitable AI development globally, as part of its diplomatic efforts.
By contrast, the US plan, as reported, focuses more on achieving and sustaining AI dominance with a race-oriented approach that prioritizes national security and leadership. The US strategy is characterized by comparatively less emphasis on multilateral governance or open-source collaboration and more on competition and deregulation for innovation acceleration.
The swath of advanced open-source LLMs from China has raised concerns in the US that low-cost Chinese tech will undermine Silicon Valley's global dominance and pricing. However, China has recently promoted its "open" innovation and willingness to "share indigenous technologies".
Notable speakers at the WAIC include former Google chief Eric Schmidt, Nobel Prize laureate Geoffrey Hinton, and Canadian computer scientist Yoshua Bengio. China is especially eager to share technologies with countries in the global south to benefit the world.
The White House has unveiled a plan to achieve US dominance in AI, focusing on accelerating innovation, building infrastructure, and ensuring US leadership in international AI diplomacy and security. The plan proposes the creation of two new AI dialogue mechanisms under the auspices of the UN. However, the details of this plan have not been made public yet.
In summary, China’s plan aims to shape global AI norms through open collaboration, UN alignment, and inclusive diplomacy, while the US plan prioritizes maintaining technological superiority with a competitive and deregulated approach. This analysis reflects information up to July 2025, as per the latest conference announcements and policy releases.
The 2025 Global AI Governance Action Plan, unveiled by China, positions AI as a global public good and advocates for multilateral international cooperation, open-source collaboration, and alignment with UN frameworks. This plan also includes sharing crucial technologies such as semiconductors and a push for open-source technology through new transnational platforms and developer communities.
On the other hand, the US's AI strategy, while not publicly disclosed in its entirety, is believed to focus more on achieving and sustaining AI dominance with a race-oriented approach that prioritizes national security and leadership, with comparatively less emphasis on multilateral governance or open-source collaboration and more on competition and deregulation for innovation acceleration.
