A China-made agricultural drone sprays pesticides in Roi Et, Thailand in August 2022. [Photo/Xinhua]

At the recent Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris, China called for international collaboration to address both the opportunities and challenges of AI development, emphasizing the need for deeper innovation, inclusive mutual benefits and improved global governance.

China's AI contributions are vital for advancing global sustainable development. Through programs like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and other multilateral efforts that support AI capacity-building, China is uniting global efforts behind critical technological advancements.

In Pakistan's populous Punjab province, China has been pivotal in developing transformative technological solutions. These innovations have empowered farmers to optimize fertilizer use and adopt drone-based monitoring systems. This intervention offers Pakistan a significant opportunity to enhance innovative agriculture and serves as a model for similar initiatives.

Being able to adapt to complex technologies is crucial for sustainable growth in developing countries. China's strength lies in its ability to create user-friendly, localized technology guidelines that make AI applications easier to use and more relevant to local needs. This approach makes it easier to use advanced tools, creating more opportunities for everyone. The future looks bright, especially with the Global AI Governance Initiative (GAIGI) for Belt and Road countries. This initiative underscores China's commitment to supporting economies at all levels, strengthening its role as a key partner in global tech progress.

These initiatives exemplify the hallmarks of international AI cooperation. By providing sustainable irrigation and smart detection technologies to countries like Kenya, China emphasizes the need to spread AI solutions worldwide. These efforts closely align with sustainable development goals, as smart agriculture can greatly increase crop production – a critical factor in combating global food insecurity.

Notably, Chinese AI innovations are significantly improving logistics across Southeast Asia. This comes at a pivotal time, as Southeast Asian economies are rapidly changing and increasingly interested in China's expertise in automation, big data and AI. By using AI to improve supply chains, these countries can lower costs, benefiting businesses, consumers and local economies that rely on reliable supply chains.

Beijing's advancements in AI have been accompanied by a strong focus on safety and risk management. These efforts solidify its position as a reliable partner. The global demand for people-centered and inclusive AI solutions is on the rise, and China is actively contributing to this vision. As former Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying noted at the recent Paris AI Action Summit, "Leading figures in China's science and technology community maintain close communication with international peers and are broadly aligned in their thinking on AI safety issues."

China's people-centric approach is increasingly defining its role in international AI governance. The country's 2017 New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan emphasized using AI for social development, including education, health care, environmental protection and public services. The GAIGI, which offers a framework for international cooperation, is a key outcome of China's forward-thinking AI strategy.

China's proactive approach to AI reflects its commitment to promoting socially beneficial applications in an increasingly fragmented world. It also demonstrates a strong commitment to mitigating technological risks. Beijing has advocated for measures to "prevent misuse or abuse of AI technologies," stressing responsible development and deployment. This approach aims to align future AI cooperation with shared goals. 

Additionally, China's expertise in manufacturing safe and controllable AI systems promotes traceability, a critical step toward ensuring accountability. These advances demonstrate that China's AI contributions are more than just theoretical; they reflect China's real-world expertise, responsible policies, and dedication to improving lives globally.

Energy optimization represents another significant area of Chinese AI collaboration, particularly in countries like Thailand, where AI-driven energy transition efforts are gaining momentum. Beijing is dedicated to providing AI capabilities that support partner nations' long-term technological goals. For example, Huawei's partnership with Thailand's Ministry of Digital Economy and Society has sparked optimism about transforming Thailand into a regional AI hub. Rather than limiting AI advancements to its own borders, China is taking an outward-looking approach, prioritizing technological self-sufficiency for its partners.

Effective global AI cooperation requires balancing challenges and opportunities. The 2024 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai highlighted AI's potential impact on employment and a shared commitment to removing barriers to technical sharing. These discussions are vital for ensuring the Global South receives fair representation and access to AI technologies.

China is establishing dedicated platforms for technology transfer and commercialization, as outlined in the Shanghai Declaration on Global AI Governance. The country promotes an inclusive approach to international AI governance – advocating for open data flows, promoting tech literacy, addressing AI risks, and prioritizing a U.N.-centered mechanism for global cooperation.

China's AI leadership is characterized by its strong support for the technological needs of the developing world and its efforts to bridge the global access gap. With a robust domestic ecosystem for industrial progress, research and public services, China extends these benefits internationally, demonstrating its commitment to addressing AI inequities, managing risks, and ensuring no nation is left behind. China's approach to harnessing AI for development serves as an example for other countries, underscoring the importance of responsible and equitable global collaboration to ensure that shared benefits are realized.

Hannan Hussain is co-founder and senior expert at Initiate Futures, an Islamabad-based policy think tank.

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.

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