For humanity: China's people-centered AI philosophy garners broad international backing

Chinese President Xi Jinping's advocacy for a people-centered approach to artificial intelligence (AI) – emphasizing that AI should be a trusted, human-controlled tool for the positive, for good and for all – has won broad international support and acclaim.

In his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance, Xi put forward a fundamental and vital concept that establishes a philosophical anchor for AI development and governance, according to Katleho Moloi, a professor at the University of South Africa.

"Ultimately, we don't want a system that will replace humanity, but we want a system that will improve the quality of life of humanity," Moloi said of the AI technology in an interview with China Media Group (CMG).

In a nod to the Chinese president's stress that AI's development is to be a trustworthy tool for humanity, he said, "The theme that we believe in is how we can make people's life better, not only by producing techniques that will replace them, but produce techniques that will make whatever they do to be more profitable, and more efficient."

Xi on Friday announced the creation of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), a Shanghai-headquartered body that aims to ensure that AI is beneficial, safe, fair and serves the benefit of all humanity.

"I fully support President Xi's initiative, and this will augur well for the world," said Liow Tiong Lai, chairman of the ASEAN-China Association for the Promotion of Industrial Cooperation and Development and a former Malaysian transport minister, since the world needs "a body that will be able to promote accessibility and equality."

WAICO "will be able to ensure that we train the necessary talent, we provide the necessary infrastructure. We also share our values so that whatever regulations and whatever AI initiative, it is more humane and it is for the humanity," Liow said.

Public goods that answer the needs of the Global South

Analysts have welcomed Xi's pledge that China, as a responsible major country, is always committed to providing international public goods relating to AI.

"We must carry out extensive international cooperation and help Global South countries with capacity building to bridge the AI and digital divides, promote sustainable development, and prevent creating new historical injustice in AI," Xi said on Friday.

President Xi's emphasis on China as a provider of AI public goods is significant, said Haris Bilal Malik, a researcher at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, a think tank in Pakistan.

"It carries a broader meaning that the artificial intelligence is no more an issue of rich countries, or developed countries, or the great powers. It should serve the humanity across the board, across the globe, for every country, especially for the Global South," Malik said.

Donald Ramotar, former president of Guyana, also commended China's key proposals on AI and its push for a governance framework that leaves no nation behind.

China is advocating that the United Nations play a central role in forming "a global AI governance system with broad consensus to benefit all humanity," Ramotar wrote in a recent opinion piece.  "This is to ensure that no country is left behind."

An open approach that builds global capacity, not walls

The international community has also applauded and embraced China's public pledge to roll out a range of practical measures for global AI capacity building over the next five years.

Xi announced at Friday's gathering that China will provide developing countries with 5,000 opportunities in AI training and seminar programs, and enable 30 countries to use the AI-powered meteorological warning system MAZU, to safeguard homes around the world.

China will also 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.

Blade Nzimande, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation of South Africa, hailed the significance of the Chinese concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity and advocating universal participation by all nations in AI development and governance.

African nations lack AI infrastructure, and China has proactively created favorable conditions to enable developing countries to genuinely share in the dividends of AI development, Nzimande said.

Nikki Gastinel, head of the California Software Association, hailed China's approach to AI development as one rooted in openness and the goal of benefiting all.

In expressing her appreciation, Gastinel called on all other nations to build more bridges for communication and cooperation rather than erecting walls that breed division and confrontation.

Xue Lan, dean of the Institute for AI International Governance at Tsinghua University, dismissed the narrative promoted by some in Europe and the United States that frames China and the US as rivals locked in head-to-head AI competition.

Xue said the Chinese president has made it crystal-clear in his speech that China develops AI for the positive, for good and for all humanity, thus spelling out the core purpose of China's AI strategy.