Chinese Premier Li Qiang has called for greater international cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI) governance, raising concerns about the security risks posed by rapid AI development.
His remarks came during the opening of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) held in Shanghai on Saturday.
Li stated that it is necessary to find a balance between AI development and security, and that building a shared global approach is urgently needed.
He also announced the launch of a new Chinese-led organization to support global cooperation in AI and encourage open-source development.
The goal, according to Chinese officials, is to prevent AI from being dominated by a handful of countries or major corporations.
The conference is taking place at a time of increasing technological rivalry between China and the United States.
Washington continues to limit exports of high-end chips to China over national security concerns, prompting Chinese tech firms to seek local alternatives.
In response, companies like DeepSeek have developed AI models capable of competing with Western systems, even while using less powerful hardware.
Premier Li did not directly mention the US, but pointed to concerns over restricted access to AI technology and global talent.
He warned that limiting chip supplies and blocking international cooperation could slow progress and leave many countries behind.
At the same event, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in a video message, described AI governance as a key test for international unity.
He urged countries to come together and ensure AI serves the global good.
Over 800 companies are participating in the three-day event, displaying more than 3,000 innovations.
Major Chinese firms such as Huawei and Alibaba are taking part, along with US companies like Tesla, Alphabet, and Amazon, showing continued global interest in AI despite rising tensions.