Illustration: Chen Xia/GT

With the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), the challenges and governance issues surrounding development are becoming increasingly prominent. How to ensure that this technology is used well for everyone, rather than being a “game for rich countries and the wealthy”, has emerged as a critical concern for the international community.

It is against this background that the establishment of a special artificial intelligence committee at the 2024 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit on Wednesday took place, according to the website of the Cyber ​​Administration of China.

The Committee creates a new platform and opportunities to improve international governance and cooperation on AI, as well as promote global sharing of AI development achievements. This also reflects the international community’s common desire to strengthen governance and cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence.

While the development of artificial intelligence technology undoubtedly injects new vitality into the global economy, it also presents unprecedented challenges. On the one hand, the widespread application of artificial intelligence has significantly increased production efficiency, promoted industrial development and provided new impetus for economic growth. On the other hand, artificial intelligence technology has intensified global technological competition and, in some cases, triggered geopolitical tensions.

In particular, some Western countries are trying to suppress the development of artificial intelligence in countries such as China by trying to maintain their leading positions in this field with measures such as technological blockades and export controls. This approach defeats the global trend of technological advancement.

The advancement of technology, especially in the field of revolutionary artificial intelligence, should in no way be distorted by geopolitical disagreements. The development and application of artificial intelligence must overcome narrow ideological differences to focus on solving common challenges facing humanity and improving the well-being and interests of all people. Artificial intelligence development cannot be a game or a tool for geopolitical maneuvering for a few rich countries. Instead, the development of this advanced technology needs to promote global participation and shared benefits, avoiding serving the interests of only a small group of countries and exacerbating global inequality or widening the gap between rich and poor.

The need to perfect the global digital governance system is therefore particularly urgent now. It is important to foster consensus on creating a more fair, inclusive and open global governance system for AI.

Strengthening international governance and cooperation in artificial intelligence is, of course, not an easy task. Differences in the level of development, cultural background and values ​​between countries increase the difficulty of cooperation to some extent. However, it is still valuable for countries to adopt an open, inclusive and collaborative attitude to jointly promote progress in the field of artificial intelligence, based on respecting differences and embracing diversity. This will prevent geopolitical tensions caused by technological competition and promote balanced global economic development by narrowing the technological gap between countries.

To begin with, it is important to establish unified global ethical standards for artificial intelligence. The rapid advancement of AI technology has brought significant challenges regarding ethics, privacy, security and more. Different approaches to AI ethical standards in different countries and regions may hinder global communication and collaboration in AI development. Therefore, establishing globally consistent AI ethical standards and promoting adherence to common ethical principles in AI research and international practice is crucial to ensuring that AI technology is used for the greater good.

Moreover, it is crucial to promote the inclusive application of AI technology to ensure that its advances benefit all of humanity. Countries need to enhance cooperation in artificial intelligence research and development, application promotion and talent training, and facilitate the widespread use of artificial intelligence in sectors such as education, health, transportation and environmental protection. This approach will enable AI technology to truly serve people around the world and foster inclusive global economic growth.

In summary, improving international governance and promoting cooperation on AI is key to ensuring that AI technology serves greater good and effectively addresses pressing global challenges. This effort requires an approach that not only focuses on technological advances and innovations, but also pays attention to ethics and social responsibilities related to technology, ensuring that artificial intelligence becomes a powerful driver for global shared development.