AI for the many: China's experiment in tech-driven equality

Gong Zhe is a senior sci-tech editor at CGTN Digital. His views are his own and in no way represent the views of CGTN.

China's rapid advancements in artificial intelligence are not only transforming its domestic landscape but also redefining global innovation paradigms. By prioritizing open collaboration and ethical governance, China is positioning AI as a shared global resource rather than a tool confined to tech elites. This approach challenges traditional narratives of geopolitical competition, offering instead a blueprint for how emerging technologies can address systemic inequities.

Democratizing access: truly open AI breaks down barriers

China's emphasis on truly open AI frameworks is dismantling barriers for developing nations. Platforms like Baidu's PaddlePaddle and Huawei's MindSpore provide free, scalable tools for developers worldwide, rivaling Western counterparts like TensorFlow and PyTorch.

Moreover, companies like Alibaba and DeepSeek are providing their frontier AI models for free download, offering a chance for developers to build AI applications without paying API fees.

Additionally, AI-based solutions from China are helping the developing populations to dismantle tech barriers. An example is Huawei's TrackAI campaign, which leverages AI-powered eye-tracking algorithms to diagnose vision impairments in children.

Ethical governance: a middle path for global AI regulation

As debates over AI ethics intensify, China's regulatory experiments offer a potential bridge between divergent approaches. The 2023 interim regulation on generative AI services introduced a "data desensitization grading system," which balances privacy protection with innovation incentives.

Unlike the EU's GDPR – which imposes strict data restrictions – or Silicon Valley's preference for self-regulation, China's framework categorizes data sensitivity levels, allowing tailored safeguards without stifling development.

This pragmatic model has gained attention in regions like Southeast Asia and the Middle East, where policymakers seek to nurture AI industries while addressing public concerns about misuse. By piloting scalable governance frameworks, China is influencing global standards, proving that ethical AI can coexist with rapid deployment.

Empowering the "long tail": AI for small businesses and developing markets

Chinese AI tools are revitalizing small-scale economies often overlooked by traditional tech. Cross-border e-commerce platforms like Alibaba's AliExpress now integrate AI-driven marketing tools, enabling micro-entrepreneurs in Latin America and South Asia to optimize pricing, translation and customer engagement.

Video game creators can now use Tencent's AI tools to generate 3D objects directly from text or images, enabling independent developers to realize their dream world and reach commercial success.

China's AI strategy reflects a shift from zero-sum competition to collaborative value creation. By treating AI as a public good – rather than a proprietary asset – the country's approach aligns with the broader trend that technological progress serves as a shared ladder for collective uplift.