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China’s Xi promotes China’s commitment to AI access in speech at Shanghai conference

By Thomson Reuters Jul 16, 2026 | 9:37 PM

SHANGHAI, July 17 (Reuters) – Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasised ​the importance of ‌a “people-centred” approach to the development of AI technology in a ‌keynote ​address at ⁠the opening ceremony ⁠of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai on ​Friday.

Xi also spoke of China’s role ⁠in ⁠ensuring equity of ​access to AI capacity ​building for developing countries ‌in order to prevent the creation of “new historical ⁠injustices” in AI, announcing China’s plans to cooperate with ⁠numerous ‌international bodies, ⁠including from Africa, ​Latin ‌America, Asia and ​BRICS ⁠countries, to provide AI-related opportunities.

(Reporting by Casey Hall in Shanghai; Editing by Christopher ​Cushing)