China has recently launched its global artificial intelligence (AI) strategy, intensifying the technological rivalry with the United States, which introduced its own AI action plan days earlier.
The announcement coincided with the opening of the annual World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, where Premier Li Qiang proposed establishing a global AI cooperation organisation to promote multilateral collaboration.
He also emphasised China’s “AI plus” strategy that aims to integrate AI across sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, and urban planning. The plan includes support for countries in the Global South, a term describing less-developed nations often linked to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
In contrast, the U.S. plan, outlined by President Donald Trump, focuses on eliminating “woke” bias in AI and encouraging the international deployment of American AI technologies.
George Chen, partner at the Asia Group and co-chair of the digital practice, said, “the two camps are now being formed.” He noted China’s preference for a multilateral approach, while the U.S. seeks an exclusive coalition to counter China’s rise.
The rivalry also extends to semiconductors vital for AI. Since 2022, the U.S. has restricted China’s access to advanced chips. Recently, Nvidia was allowed to resume shipments of a less advanced H20 chip to China after a three-month pause. Despite this, China is advancing its domestic semiconductor efforts, which Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang described as “formidable.”
Ahead of the conference, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt met with Shanghai Party Secretary Chen Jining, demonstrating ongoing international engagement with Chinese officials despite tensions.
With AI swiftly expanding globally, both countries compete to shape technological dominance and international norms.