Xinhua Headlines: Bridging global intelligence divide: China's solutions to making AI more inclusive
Under the theme "Global Solidarity in the AI Era," the 2025 WAIC attracted over 1,500 guests from more than 30 countries and regions for in-depth exchanges and high-level forums. Featuring a record-breaking 70,000-square-meter exhibition, the 2025 WAIC unveiled over 3,000 AI innovations, including over 100 global and China-first debuts, showcasing a dynamic vision for global AI cooperation.
During the opening ceremony, several key initiatives and outcomes were announced, including an action plan for global AI governance, the International Open Source AI Cooperation Initiative, and the "AI from China·Benefits the World (2025)" case collection.
MOBILIZING GLOBAL WISDOM
At the main forum of the high-level meeting on global AI governance, global leaders reflected on the profound challenge of ensuring AI develops as a force for good rather than harm. Geoffrey Hinton, 2024 Nobel Laureate in Physics, underscored that one of humanity's greatest challenges is ensuring that intelligent AI systems are not only vastly capable but also continue to be aligned with human interests.
Hinton likened the development of such systems to raising a tiger cub, highlighting the importance of guiding AI behavior before it grows beyond our control. He stressed that no single nation can tackle the risks of advanced AI alone, and that building AI that is both powerful and subservient will require sustained global cooperation.
Echoing this view, a dialogue between former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and former Microsoft Executive Vice President Harry Shum explored how competition and cooperation must coexist in the AI era. Schmidt underlined the need for transnational cooperation to set rules for global competition and collaboration in AI.
This exchange embodies WAIC's broader mission to advance AI development that is inclusive, responsible, and beneficial for all humanity.
With vast data resources, diverse application scenarios, and surging market demand driven by accelerating digital transformation, China offers fertile ground for AI model training, iteration, and deployment, laying a strong foundation for global cooperation and scalable innovation, according to Gary Gu, technology consulting managing partner of EY Greater China.
On July 26, an action plan for global AI governance was released. The plan outlines concrete steps to foster open collaboration and inclusive innovation, encouraging bold experimentation, building international platforms for scientific and technological cooperation, and cultivating a pro-innovation policy environment.
It also calls for strengthened alignment in policy and regulation, and lower technical barriers to promote breakthroughs in AI technology innovation and widespread AI applications. Particular emphasis is placed on supporting countries in the Global South to develop AI technologies and services in line with their local needs, helping them genuinely access and apply AI.
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
At the 2025 WAIC, numerous outstanding cases demonstrated how Chinese enterprises, from leading AI model developers to industrial innovators, are leveraging AI technologies to share the benefits of AI development with more countries. This embodies China's commitment to ensuring that AI serves not only as a driver for technological advancement but also as a tool for fostering inclusive growth.
At iFLYTEK's exhibition area, the Spark X1 large model unveiled on July 25 has drawn significant attention from international visitors, who asked it questions in their native languages. The model now supports over 130 languages and excels in translation, reasoning, and text generation, facilitating deeper cross-border communication and cooperation.
"Our large model products are going global through intelligent terminals such as automobiles, and we are collaborating with partners in other countries on education and other fields," said Wu Junhua, vice president of iFLYTEK. "The overseas expansion of large models shows the globalization of technology. Chinese-origin large models have begun their acceleration run, empowering the world."
CITIC Dicastal's plant in Morocco was listed as a "Lighthouse Factory" in January 2025, making it the first facility in Africa to achieve such recognition in the field of intelligent manufacturing. Representing a high level of global smart manufacturing, the plant has implemented over 40 digital use cases. From raw material selection to final packaging of aluminum wheels, every step is monitored and optimized in real time by intelligent systems. This has resulted in a 17 percent increase in overall equipment efficiency, a 27 percent boost in labor productivity, and a 31 percent reduction in defect rates.
French multinational Schneider Electric has emerged as a model of collaborative AI innovation through deep integration with China's digital ecosystem. At the 2025 WAIC, Schneider Electric joined hands with several local partners to showcase cutting-edge industrial AI applications.
These included Digital Nail Technology, which specializes in AI-powered digital planning in manufacturing and Chance Digital Science & Technology, which showcased breakthrough solutions in AI-driven digital reconstruction and twin modeling for process industries. These collaborations reflect a model of inclusive innovation, leveraging global expertise and China's vibrant AI ecosystem to accelerate real-world adoption and foster shared progress.
"China's commitment to driving high-quality development through AI and technological innovation aligns perfectly with our vision of sustainable, green productivity. By partnering with leading Chinese enterprises, we are not only bringing global best practices to China but also exporting China's vibrant AI ecosystem and innovations to the world," said Philippe Rambach, Schneider Electric's Senior Vice President and Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer. "We aim to harness AI's full potential to build a smarter, greener future -- 'in China for China, in China for the world.'"
PROMISING INITIATIVES, PARTNERSHIPS
Building on its vision for inclusive AI development, China is actively promoting initiatives and alliances designed to consolidate, standardize, and promote global artificial intelligence cooperation. These efforts strongly focus on supporting developing countries as they seek to bridge the "intelligence divide," ensuring that the benefits of AI innovation are shared equitably.
At the "Win-Win BRICS" forum held as part of the 2025 WAIC, representatives from many countries and international organizations gathered to discuss AI cooperation. The forum launched the BRICS AI Industry Cooperation Network, aimed at promoting standard alignment, policy dialogue, and practical AI collaboration.
Zhang Jun, product lead of Baidu's PaddlePaddle framework, emphasized at the forum that open-source AI plays a vital role in driving inclusive technological development by making AI benefits more accessible. He noted that many of Baidu's products and services are actively embracing large model technologies, and through open-source strategies, the company is working to extend AI capabilities to a broader user base.
Another key milestone was the launch of the Global Call for AIM Global Centers of Excellence by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), aimed at accelerating AI application in manufacturing and promoting digital transformation across developing countries. This initiative fosters international collaboration and resource sharing to catalyze industrial AI innovation worldwide.
Jason Slater, chief of division of digital transformation and artificial intelligence of UNIDO, praised China's support in Africa, especially in Ethiopia, highlighting its efforts to establish centers of excellence, expand technology access, enhance individual skills, and strengthen local innovation ecosystems -- bringing AI benefits to those who need them most.
China's commitment to sharing AI governance experience and fostering international partnerships was also highlighted by the launch of "MAZU-Urban," an AI-powered early warning system for multi-hazard disaster prevention.
Donated to Djibouti and Mongolia, this system exemplifies China's approach to embedding AI solutions in global public goods, enhancing resilience in vulnerable regions.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
24 minutes ago
- The Star
Saudi Aramco president stresses China as key strategic market
RIYADH, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Aramco President and CEO Amin H. Nasser said on Tuesday that China is an important strategic market for Aramco, and the company plans to further expand its investments in China. Speaking at a media conference call for Aramco's half-year 2025 financial results, Nasser made the remarks in response to a question from Xinhua. "We have excellent collaboration with our Chinese partners. China is an important strategic market for Saudi Aramco," he said. Nasser noted that China hosts a number of integrated refining and petrochemical projects, and Aramco is actively participating in the investment and construction of these large-scale projects. He emphasized that Aramco already has major investments in China and plans to further increase its investment in multiple areas in the future. "We have in the pipeline a number of investment plans in China that could be promising," he said. Nasser also pointed out that China holds a significant position in the global chemical market. "China will continue to be a main market for Saudi Aramco when it comes to supply of crude, investments and projects like liquids-to-chemicals," he said.
The Star
35 minutes ago
- The Star
UNESCO launches Kilimanjaro expedition to raise awareness on glacier melting
NAIROBI, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced on Tuesday that a 50-member expedition to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro is underway to raise awareness about the rapid melting of glaciers caused by climate change. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 and a vital water tower for millions in Kenya and Tanzania, Africa's tallest mountain is losing its glaciers at an alarming rate. To draw global attention to this threat, youth from Kenya, Tanzania, and the United States, scientists, UN experts, and climate advocates started climbing the mountain on Monday, expected to finish their mission on Sunday. Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO director-general, said that ascending Mount Kilimanjaro summit will amplify the urgency to act on climate-induced melting of glaciers, and the existential threats it poses to livelihoods and ecosystems. "With science as our compass, the international community must unite to protect our glaciers," Azoulay said in a statement issued in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital. "This is what the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation, led by UNESCO and the World Meteorological Organization, is all about." The expedition, led by famed polar explorer Borge Ousland and Kilimanjaro Initiative founder Tim Challen, will blend science and advocacy. Climbers will conduct environmental research during the ascent, collecting data on water contamination, vegetation stress, and ecosystem health. The mission also supports UNESCO's Kilimanjaro Transboundary Aquifer System Program, an 8 million U.S. dollars initiative funded by the Global Environment Facility to promote sustainable groundwater management and climate resilience in the Kenya-Tanzania border region. Mount Kilimanjaro has lost 85 percent of its glacial ice and over 30 percent of its forest cover since 1912, UNESCO said, citing researchers from the University of Dodoma, Tanzania. UNESCO warns that the ecological crisis is worsening droughts, degrading ecosystems, and increasing water scarcity, especially for women and other vulnerable groups. Bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders is key to spotlighting the threats facing this critical water tower and driving solutions, said Challen.
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
AI search pushing an already weakened media industry to the brink
GENERATIVE artificial intelligence assistants like ChatGPT are cutting into traditional online search traffic, depriving news sites of visitors and impacting the advertising revenue they desperately need, in a crushing blow to an industry fighting for survival. "The next three or four years will be incredibly challenging for publishers everywhere. No one is immune from the AI summaries storm gathering on the horizon," said Matt Karolian, vice-president of research and development at Boston Globe Media. "Publishers need to build their own shelters or risk being swept away." While data remains limited, a recent Pew Research Centre study shows that AI-generated summaries now appearing regularly in Google searches discourage users from clicking through to source articles. When AI summaries are present, users click on suggested links half as often compared with traditional searches. This represents a devastating loss of visitors for online media sites that depend on traffic for advertising revenue and subscription conversions. According to Northeastern University Professor John Wihbey, these trends "will accelerate, and pretty soon, we will have an entirely different web". The dominance of tech giants like Google and Meta had slashed online media advertising revenue, forcing publishers to pivot toward paid subscriptions. But Wihbey said that subscriptions also depend on traffic, and paying subscribers alone aren't sufficient to support major media organisations. The Boston Globe group has begun seeing subscribers sign up through ChatGPT, offering a new touchpoint with potential readers, Karolian said. However, "these remain incredibly modest compared with other platforms, including even smaller search engines". To survive what many see as an inevitable shift, media companies are increasingly adopting GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation) — a technique that replaces traditional SEO (Search Engine Optimisation). This involves providing AI models with clearly labelled content, good structure, comprehensible text and strong presence on social networks and forums like Reddit that get crawled by AI companies. But a fundamental question remains: "Should you allow OpenAI crawlers to crawl your website and your content?" asks Thomas Peham, CEO of optimisation startup OtterlyAI. Burned by aggressive data collection from major AI companies, many news publishers have chosen to fight back by blocking AI crawlers from accessing their content. Some progress has been made on this front. Licensing agreements have emerged between major players, such as the New York Times and Amazon, Google and Associated Press, and Mistral and Agence France-Presse. But the issue is far from resolved, as major legal battles are underway, most notably the New York Times' suit against OpenAI and Microsoft. Publishers face a dilemma: blocking AI crawlers protects their content but reduces exposure to potential new readers. Faced with this challenge, "media leaders are increasingly choosing to reopen access", Peham observed. Yet even with open access, success isn't guaranteed. According to OtterlyAI data, media outlets represent just 29 per cent of citations offered by ChatGPT, trailing corporate websites at 36 per cent. And while Google search has traditionally privileged sources recognised as reliable, "we don't see this with ChatGPT", Peham said. The stakes extend beyond business models. According to the Reuters Institute's 2025 Digital News Report, about 15 per cent of people under 25 use generative AI to get their news. Given questions about AI sourcing and reliability, this trend risks confusing readers about information origins and credibility, much like social media did before it. "At some point, someone has to do the reporting," Karolian said. "Without original journalism, none of these AI platforms would have anything to summarise."
