China Plans International AI Body Amid US-China Race

China's Premier Li Qiang announced plans to lead the creation of an international organization, the World AI Cooperation Organization, aimed at fostering global collaboration in artificial intelligence development to prevent the technology from being monopolized by a few countries or companies. Speaking at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, Li highlighted AI's risks, including widespread job losses and economic upheaval, emphasizing the need for countries to share insights and talent. He criticized technological monopolies and restrictions, implicitly targeting U.S. efforts to limit China's tech sector, such as export controls on Nvidia chips vital for AI advancement. Premier Li also acknowledged the semiconductor shortage as a significant bottleneck but reiterated the Chinese government's commitment, under President Xi Jinping, to policies advancing Beijing's AI ambitions. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump signed executive orders to loosen regulations and increase energy supplies for data centers, urging companies like OpenAI and Google to help maintain America's lead in the AI race. This reflects the ongoing technological and geopolitical competition between China and the U.S. over AI leadership.