Global AI Cooperation Vital to Prevent Risks, Says Former Chinese Diplomat

Former Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying has issued a stark warning at the Paris AI Action Summit: Without global collaboration, artificial intelligence could outpace human control. Her remarks underscored the urgent need for countries to unite in governing emerging technologies, even as geopolitical rivalries threaten to derail progress.

‘If we were to draw a diagram of world trends, we’d see an exponential curve of technological innovation rising steeply. At the same time, we’d observe the downward trajectory of China-U.S. relations,’ Fu stated, highlighting how political tensions clash with technological imperatives.

Two Paths, One Challenge

Fu outlined divergent AI development models: U.S. leadership in cutting-edge research versus China’s rapid deployment across industries like healthcare and urban management. While acknowledging both systems’ strengths, she argued that integration offers the safest path forward—a possibility currently obscured by trade restrictions and tech decoupling efforts.

China’s Open-Source Advantage

The former diplomat highlighted China’s preference for open-source AI development through platforms like DeepSeek, which aligns with Beijing’s 2017 AI Development Plan emphasizing transparency. ‘Complete opacity of some large companies’ models is more concerning,’ she noted, contrasting China’s approach with proprietary Western systems.

Building Guardrails Through Consensus

China’s 2023 Global AI Governance Initiative and its UN-backed resolution on AI capacity building—supported by over 140 countries—showcase Beijing’s multilateral strategy. Fu emphasized that Chinese tech firms now specialize in AI safety solutions while maintaining active dialogue with international peers.

As over 1,000 delegates from 75 countries concluded the Paris summit, Fu’s message resonated clearly: In an era of exponential technological growth, outdated rivalries must not override humanity’s shared interest in responsible innovation.

Reference(s):

Fu Ying: Cooperation only way to keep AI power under human control

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