Today, global artificial intelligence technologies are booming vigorously. They exert a profound influence on global economic and social development and the advancement of human civilization, and serve as an important driving force for the new round of technological revolution. The Dutch Caribbean region is also embracing enormous development opportunities. However, as global AI technological innovation enters an upward phase of intensive breakthroughs, various secondary risks have emerged accordingly. It is imperative for the international community to improve the global AI governance system.
Not long ago, at the World AI Conference and High‑Level Meeting on Global AI Governance held in Shanghai, China, President Xi Jinping comprehensively and systematically expounded China’s policy positions, ideas and propositions on AI development and governance. Addressing pressing issues in global AI development and governance, he put forward four observations from the dimensions of development, security, civilizations and governance, contributing Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions to advancing global AI governance.
First, we should adhere to the principle of openness and win-win and boost innovation-driven development. As a new engine of world economic growth and an accelerator for the shift of growth drivers, AI is moving from the digital world into the physical world. We should seize this rare, historic opportunity to encourage open source, openness, collaboration and sharing. We should facilitate technological innovation, industrial development and scenario-based application of AI. We should make coordinated advances in the transformation and upgrade of traditional industries, the cultivation and growth of emerging industries and forward-looking planning for future industries, so that all sectors and businesses can benefit from AI.
Second, we should strengthen risk-awareness and ensure that AI is secure and controllable. AI should be a trusted tool for humanity. We should take seriously the various types of inherent and secondary risks triggered by AI, promote the development of systems for laws and regulations, technological monitoring, risk early warning and emergency response, strengthen the line of security, guard against abuses and malicious use, and ensure that AI remains always under human control. Meanwhile, we should jointly oppose the overstretching of the concept of national security in the AI field and the practice of placing one’s own security above that of other countries.
Third, we should encourage inclusiveness and promote mutual learning between civilizations. AI development and its application should not erode or undermine the diversity of world civilizations or the uniqueness of cultures of different countries. We must shape the values of AI with humanity’s common values, and make good use of AI technologies to enhance understanding and tolerance among all civilizations and promote their exchanges and mutual learning. We should tend to the garden of civilizations with great care to ensure that the beauty of each civilization is appreciated and shared.
Fourth, we should advocate solidarity and improve global governance. We should practice true multilateralism, give full play to the important role of the United Nations, strengthen alignment and coordination on AI development strategies, governance rules and technical standards, and form at an early date a global governance framework with broad consensus, so that this frontier technology can better benefit humanity. We should conduct extensive international cooperation to help countries of the Global South enhance capacity building, bridge the digital and AI gap, promote sustainable development, and avoid creating new historical injustices in the field of artificial intelligence.
As a major responsible country, China has always been committed to serving as a provider of international public goods in the field of artificial intelligence, and supports all countries, especially those of the Global South, in enhancing capacity building. In the next five years, China will provide developing countries with 5,000 opportunities in AI training and seminar programs; develop international AI application cooperation centers with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the League of Arab States, the African Union, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS; and roll out the AI-powered meteorological early warning program MAZU in 30 countries to safeguard homes around the world. China is ready to join hands with the Dutch Caribbean region to build a more just and equitable global governance system that better benefits people's well-being and social development.
Zhang Kaibin , Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Willemstad