The World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026 is set to take place in Davos-Klosters from 19 to 23 January. Leaders will address AI governance and prevent trade fragmentation. Focusing specifically on governing the rise of Artificial Intelligence, restoring trade resilience.

WEF 2026 at Davos: AI, trade, and resilience talks that could shape global governance

At the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2025, China presented a bold vision for its role in shaping the global AI landscape, offering an alternative to the US’ “America First” approach. The three-day event, which concluded on July 28, attracted more than 800 companies, including tech giants like Tencent, Alibaba, and Huawei, as well as international leaders from Google, including former CEO Eric Schmidt. The showcase, featuring robots, flying taxis, and AI-driven technologies, underscored China’s efforts to position itself as a champion of multilateralism and international collaboration in the AI race.During his keynote speech, Premier Li Qiang outlined China's approach to AI governance, which contrasts with the US's recent AI action plan focused on national dominance. Li emphasised the importance of global cooperation, suggesting that AI governance should not be monopolised by a few countries or tech giants. “If we engage in technological monopoly, AI will become an exclusive game for a small number of countries and enterprises,” he warned. His comments came just days after the Trump administration unveiled its own strategy for AI supremacy, which included removing bureaucratic barriers and reinforcing US leadership in the field.<h2>China’s AI alliances and technological showcases</h2>One of the key announcements at WAIC was the formation of two new industry alliances aimed at bolstering China’s domestic AI ecosystem in the wake of US export restrictions on advanced semiconductors. The “Model-Chip Ecosystem Innovation Alliance” is a collaboration between Chinese large language model (LLM) developers and chip manufacturers, including Huawei and other firms impacted by US sanctions. The alliance aims to create a self-sustaining ecosystem, reducing China’s dependence on foreign technology, especially in the critical AI chip sector.Another alliance, the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce AI Committee, seeks to integrate AI technologies into industrial applications, marking a shift from purely consumer-driven AI solutions to those targeting broader economic sectors. Companies such as SenseTime, a leader in AI-driven facial recognition technologies, are pivoting to LLMs, underscoring the speed of China's AI sector evolution.On the exhibition floor, China’s AI prowess was evident in the numerous product debuts. Huawei introduced the CloudMatrix 384, an AI computing system said to rival Nvidia’s offerings. The system uses 384 Huawei 910C chips, demonstrating the company’s ability to produce competitive alternatives to US-made AI chips despite facing export restrictions. Other Chinese firms, including Metax and Iluvatar CoreX, showcased their own advancements in AI chip technology, further signalling China’s increasing self-reliance in this critical domain.Among the most talked-about innovations were consumer-orientated products like Alibaba’s Qwen AI Glasses, which will enable users to navigate and make payments through voice commands. These smart glasses, slated for release in 2025, exemplify China’s drive to integrate AI seamlessly into everyday life.<h2>International collaboration and ethical concerns</h2>The global impact of AI was a recurring theme at the conference, with several prominent figures urging international cooperation on AI safety and regulation. Eric Schmidt, former CEO of Google, called for the US and China to collaborate on AI safety, highlighting the existential risks that come with the rapid proliferation of AI technologies. He noted that both countries, as the world’s largest economic players, have a shared responsibility to ensure that AI remains a force for good.AI ethics and safety were hotly debated, with some experts expressing concerns over China’s open-source approach to AI models. While the open-source model allows for greater collaboration and innovation, it also opens the door for misuse by bad actors. Despite this, China remains committed to advancing its AI technologies, having invested heavily in research and development. Between 2013 and 2023, China’s state venture capital firms pumped an estimated $209 billion into AI businesses. The nation’s AI industry is valued at approximately $84 billion, with expectations to top $400 billion in public spending this year alone.Experts are also taking note of China’s rapid progress in AI. The launch of DeepSeek’s breakthrough AI model, which outpaced models developed by Meta and Anthropic, sent shockwaves through the global AI community. The model, developed with just $5.6 million, was far more cost-effective than similar offerings from US companies, signalling China’s ability to deliver high-quality AI products at a fraction of the cost.The WAIC 2025 expo demonstrated China’s growing confidence in its AI sector, with the country positioning itself as a leader in shaping the future of artificial intelligence. As Premier Li Qiang emphasised, AI governance should be a collaborative effort, with countries working together to create a global framework that ensures AI serves humanity's best interests.&nbsp;(With inputs from agencies)

Chinese Premier Li Qiang outlined China's approach to AI governance, which contrasts with the US's recent AI action plan focused on national dominance, emphasising the importance of global cooperation, and suggesting that AI governance should not be monopolised by a few nations or tech firms.

At the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2025, China presented a bold vision for its role in shaping the global AI landscape, offering an alternative to the US’ “America First” approach. The three-day event, which concluded on July 28, attracted more than 800 companies, including tech giants like Tencent, Alibaba, and Huawei, as well as international leaders from Google, including former CEO Eric Schmidt. The showcase, featuring robots, flying taxis, and AI-driven technologies, underscored China’s efforts to position itself as a champion of multilateralism and international collaboration in the AI race. During his keynote speech, Premier Li Qiang outlined China's approach to AI governance, which contrasts with the US's recent AI action plan focused on national dominance. Li emphasised the importance of global cooperation, suggesting that AI governance should not be monopolised by a few countries or tech giants. “If we engage in technological monopoly, AI will become an exclusive game for a small number of countries and enterprises,” he warned. His comments came just days after the Trump administration unveiled its own strategy for AI supremacy, which included removing bureaucratic barriers and reinforcing US leadership in the field. China’s AI alliances and technological showcases One of the key announcements at WAIC was the formation of two new industry alliances aimed at bolstering China’s domestic AI ecosystem in the wake of US export restrictions on advanced semiconductors. The “Model-Chip Ecosystem Innovation Alliance” is a collaboration between Chinese large language model (LLM) developers and chip manufacturers, including Huawei and other firms impacted by US sanctions. The alliance aims to create a self-sustaining ecosystem, reducing China’s dependence on foreign technology, especially in the critical AI chip sector. Another alliance, the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce AI Committee, seeks to integrate AI technologies into industrial applications, marking a shift from purely consumer-driven AI solutions to those targeting broader economic sectors. Companies such as SenseTime, a leader in AI-driven facial recognition technologies, are pivoting to LLMs, underscoring the speed of China's AI sector evolution. On the exhibition floor, China’s AI prowess was evident in the numerous product debuts. Huawei introduced the CloudMatrix 384, an AI computing system said to rival Nvidia’s offerings. The system uses 384 Huawei 910C chips, demonstrating the company’s ability to produce competitive alternatives to US-made AI chips despite facing export restrictions. Other Chinese firms, including Metax and Iluvatar CoreX, showcased their own advancements in AI chip technology, further signalling China’s increasing self-reliance in this critical domain. Among the most talked-about innovations were consumer-orientated products like Alibaba’s Qwen AI Glasses, which will enable users to navigate and make payments through voice commands. These smart glasses, slated for release in 2025, exemplify China’s drive to integrate AI seamlessly into everyday life. International collaboration and ethical concerns The global impact of AI was a recurring theme at the conference, with several prominent figures urging international cooperation on AI safety and regulation. Eric Schmidt, former CEO of Google, called for the US and China to collaborate on AI safety, highlighting the existential risks that come with the rapid proliferation of AI technologies. He noted that both countries, as the world’s largest economic players, have a shared responsibility to ensure that AI remains a force for good. AI ethics and safety were hotly debated, with some experts expressing concerns over China’s open-source approach to AI models. While the open-source model allows for greater collaboration and innovation, it also opens the door for misuse by bad actors. Despite this, China remains committed to advancing its AI technologies, having invested heavily in research and development. Between 2013 and 2023, China’s state venture capital firms pumped an estimated $209 billion into AI businesses. The nation’s AI industry is valued at approximately $84 billion, with expectations to top $400 billion in public spending this year alone. Experts are also taking note of China’s rapid progress in AI. The launch of DeepSeek’s breakthrough AI model, which outpaced models developed by Meta and Anthropic, sent shockwaves through the global AI community. The model, developed with just $5.6 million, was far more cost-effective than similar offerings from US companies, signalling China’s ability to deliver high-quality AI products at a fraction of the cost. The WAIC 2025 expo demonstrated China’s growing confidence in its AI sector, with the country positioning itself as a leader in shaping the future of artificial intelligence. As Premier Li Qiang emphasised, AI governance should be a collaborative effort, with countries working together to create a global framework that ensures AI serves humanity's best interests. (With inputs from agencies)

Chinese Premier Li Qiang outlined China's approach to AI governance, which contrasts with the US's recent AI action plan focused on national dominance, emphasising the importance of global cooperation, and suggesting that AI governance should not be monopolised by a few nations or tech firms.

China lays out ambitious AI vision, countering US’ America First plan

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on July 26 proposed the establishment of a global organisation to coordinate artificial intelligence (AI) development and governance, urging world powers to forge a common regulatory framework as the technology accelerates amid mounting geopolitical friction. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, Li described AI as a “new engine of economic growth,” while warning of growing security risks and “fragmented governance” in the absence of unified global standards. He said the rapid pace of AI evolution makes international cooperation more urgent than ever.“How to find a balance between development and security urgently requires further consensus from the entire society," Li said. "Currently, global AI governance is still fragmented. Countries have great differences in regulatory concepts and institutional rules.” Li's call comes just days after US President Donald Trump unveiled a sweeping deregulatory strategy for AI, including an executive order aimed at limiting what the administration calls “woke” AI systems. The move reinforces the divide between Washington and Beijing over how AI should be developed and governed, especially in light of US restrictions on high-end chip exports to China, citing national security concerns.<h2>China offers open-source development</h2>While Li stopped short of naming the US, his remarks appeared to be a thinly veiled critique of Western dominance in advanced AI systems and the flow of talent and resources. He warned that AI risks becoming “an exclusive game” monopolised by a handful of countries and companies. To counter that, Li proposed that China would actively promote open-source AI models and share its technological advancements, particularly with nations in the Global South.&nbsp;“Only by adhering to openness, sharing, and fairness in access to intelligence can more countries and groups benefit,” he said. Li also acknowledged practical barriers to AI development in China, including restricted access to top-tier semiconductors and limited cross-border talent exchange, the two consequences of ongoing US export controls.<h2>Global stage, global stakes</h2>Now in its seventh edition, WAIC has become one of Asia’s premier AI showcases. This year’s three-day conference hosts more than 800 companies presenting over 3,000 cutting-edge AI products, including 40 large language models and 60 intelligent robots. Chinese tech giants like Huawei and Alibaba dominate the exhibit floor, though US firms Tesla, Alphabet, and Amazon are also participating. Prominent speakers included AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, and Anne Bouverot, France’s special envoy on AI. However, Tesla CEO Elon Musk was notably absent this year.UN Secretary-General António Guterres, in a video message, called AI governance “a defining test of international cooperation.” His comments echoed Li’s warnings that without common standards, AI risks becoming a source of global inequality and instability.As AI continues to reshape industries and societies, concerns have also grown around misinformation, job displacement, and ethical dilemmas. A recent study warned that AI-generated search summaries could drastically reduce online traffic for news publishers, raising new challenges for media and information ecosystems.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang's proposal reinforces the divide between Washington and Beijing over how AI should be developed and governed, especially in light of US restrictions on high-end chip exports to China, citing national security concerns.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on July 26 proposed the establishment of a global organisation to coordinate artificial intelligence (AI) development and governance, urging world powers to forge a common regulatory framework as the technology accelerates amid mounting geopolitical friction. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, Li described AI as a “new engine of economic growth,” while warning of growing security risks and “fragmented governance” in the absence of unified global standards. He said the rapid pace of AI evolution makes international cooperation more urgent than ever. “How to find a balance between development and security urgently requires further consensus from the entire society," Li said. "Currently, global AI governance is still fragmented. Countries have great differences in regulatory concepts and institutional rules.” Li's call comes just days after US President Donald Trump unveiled a sweeping deregulatory strategy for AI, including an executive order aimed at limiting what the administration calls “woke” AI systems. The move reinforces the divide between Washington and Beijing over how AI should be developed and governed, especially in light of US restrictions on high-end chip exports to China, citing national security concerns. China offers open-source development While Li stopped short of naming the US, his remarks appeared to be a thinly veiled critique of Western dominance in advanced AI systems and the flow of talent and resources. He warned that AI risks becoming “an exclusive game” monopolised by a handful of countries and companies. To counter that, Li proposed that China would actively promote open-source AI models and share its technological advancements, particularly with nations in the Global South. “Only by adhering to openness, sharing, and fairness in access to intelligence can more countries and groups benefit,” he said. Li also acknowledged practical barriers to AI development in China, including restricted access to top-tier semiconductors and limited cross-border talent exchange, the two consequences of ongoing US export controls. Global stage, global stakes Now in its seventh edition, WAIC has become one of Asia’s premier AI showcases. This year’s three-day conference hosts more than 800 companies presenting over 3,000 cutting-edge AI products, including 40 large language models and 60 intelligent robots. Chinese tech giants like Huawei and Alibaba dominate the exhibit floor, though US firms Tesla, Alphabet, and Amazon are also participating. Prominent speakers included AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, and Anne Bouverot, France’s special envoy on AI. However, Tesla CEO Elon Musk was notably absent this year. UN Secretary-General António Guterres, in a video message, called AI governance “a defining test of international cooperation.” His comments echoed Li’s warnings that without common standards, AI risks becoming a source of global inequality and instability. As AI continues to reshape industries and societies, concerns have also grown around misinformation, job displacement, and ethical dilemmas. A recent study warned that AI-generated search summaries could drastically reduce online traffic for news publishers, raising new challenges for media and information ecosystems.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang's proposal reinforces the divide between Washington and Beijing over how AI should be developed and governed, especially in light of US restrictions on high-end chip exports to China, citing national security concerns.

China proposes global AI governance body amid rising tech tensions with US

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WEF 2026 at Davos: AI, trade, and resilience talks that could shape global governance

China lays out ambitious AI vision, countering US’ America First plan

China proposes global AI governance body amid rising tech tensions with US