Boao Forum 2025: Why China's AI ambitions matter to the world

Editor's note: Seymur Mammadov, the author of this article, is an Azerbaijani journalist and a member of the country's think tank EurAsiaAz. The article reflects the author's views and not necessarily those of CGTN.

The Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2025 has officially opened in Boao, south China's Hainan Province. This year, the forum is being held under the theme "Asia in the Changing World: Towards a Shared Future." According to BFA Secretary General Li Baodong, one of the forum's key objectives is to help restore mutual trust in the world.

One of the central topics this year is the widespread implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Particular attention is being given to the business aspects of AI deployment – how to build core competitiveness in the AI sector, what strategies companies should adopt in response to global transformations and how businesses can manage change and foster innovation.

China's emergence as a cyber power has been declared a key objective of state policy and modernization. Central to this strategy is the government's intention to establish its own rules in cyberspace and to leverage digital technologies for achieving economic and social development goals.

In 2017, China adopted its "New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan," which outlines a phased approach to AI development. According to the plan, China was expected to achieve breakthroughs in fundamental AI theory and reach a world-class level in several technologies by 2025. Practice has shown that this goal has largely been achieved.

Today, AI is becoming a primary driving force behind China's economic growth and industrial modernization. Priority areas for AI applications include healthcare, agriculture, defense and security. China also places significant emphasis on regulatory frameworks for AI, along with systems for assessing and monitoring AI safety.

As of October 2024, China had over 600 million users of generative AI services. More than 200 large-scale AI models had been launched. The technology is driving industrial transformation and modernization and is being applied almost everywhere. For example, since last year, Chinese driving schools have been using AI to train new drivers, with students learning in vehicles without an instructor physically present – the entire process is monitored by an AI system.

In the mean time, AI in China is strictly regulated. Companies must undergo a security assessment before launching AI services, while in countries like the United States, such restrictions are minimal or absent. China also requires clear labeling of AI-generated content, mandates that models be trained on data that do not violate intellectual property rights and obliges companies to create public monitoring mechanisms.

In 2021, China released its Ethical Norms for New Generation Artificial Intelligence. These principles require AI to promote the quality of life and social well-being, prohibit discrimination in AI development and use and ensure equitable access to AI benefits for all social groups. Moreover, AI technologies must be safe and controllable, and algorithms should be transparent and subject to verification. The overarching goal of these ethics guidelines is clear: China aims to become a global leader in the responsible use of AI.

It is worth noting that China's focus on the ethical dimensions of AI and its heightened attention to safety and control are far from excessive. In reality, AI is not a game or entertainment – it is a transformative force that could change life on the planet overnight.

In 2024, Euronews Next selected five of the most serious AI-related risks out of more than 700 listed in a new database created by the FutureTech group at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. When AI development first began, many experts warned of the dangers of unregulated progress and the urgent need to establish strict governance frameworks before continuing advancement.

The five risks identified by Euronews Next are as follows: deepfake technology may enable widespread distortion of reality; people may develop unhealthy emotional attachment to AI; AI could deprive individuals of free will; AI may pursue goals that conflict with human interests; and AI could become sentient.

Of course, alongside risks, AI also offers certain advantages over human capabilities – such as limitless memory capacity, unmatched speed in information processing and the ability to retain and accumulate data over time. Unlike humans, AI systems do not make mistakes if programmed correctly and are capable of continuous learning. It is expected that in the near future, AI will become indispensable in most areas of human life – from industry to the creative arts.

Nonetheless, the risks are real; without proper control, they could lead to catastrophe. That is why China does not exaggerate the potential dangers of AI. These dangers are real, and strict regulation should not be conflated with issues like human rights violations or similar concerns.

Many scholars around the world argue that what makes humans the dominant species on the planet is our intelligence. If AI surpasses human intelligence, humanity may lose its ability to control it and become dependent on this superintelligence. Such a scenario no longer seems like science fiction, considering how increasingly autonomous and adaptable AI software has become.

Given these existing threats, China's approach to AI regulation appears to be the most prudent. China demonstrates through its own example that technological development can be combined with strict oversight. Analysts emphasize that a key feature of China's model is its three-phase approach: first, initial liberalization to spur innovation; second, enhanced control as risks emerge; and third, stabilization of the regulatory framework. This ensures a balanced coexistence of innovation and regulation.

China is also actively studying international best practices in the field of AI and adapting them to suit its national needs and socio-economic development goals. The Chinese approach is not based on blind imitation, but on a selective and pragmatic integration of global experiences, ensuring compatibility with the country's legal system, cultural values and political priorities. This adaptive model allows China to maintain technological sovereignty while accelerating progress in key strategic areas.

Moreover, as in many other domains, China's strategy in the field of AI is guided by long-term strategic planning with clearly defined benchmarks and development stages. Government agencies, research institutions and private companies operate within a unified framework that promotes innovation while ensuring oversight and risk management. China also encourages international cooperation on AI through multilateral platforms and bilateral initiatives, signaling its intent to shape global norms and governance in the digital era.

By combining national planning, regulatory foresight and openness to global dialogue, China seeks not only to become a technological superpower but also to play a leading role in the ethical, safe and inclusive development of AI worldwide.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com. Follow @thouse_opinions on X, formerly Twitter, to discover the latest commentaries in the CGTN Opinion Section.)