Johannesburg: China is seeking deeper cooperation with South Africa and other countries in the Global South to advance artificial intelligence (AI) development, strengthen scientific capacity, and shape international AI governance. Li Xiuquan, Director of the Key Science and Technology Fields Research Center at the Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China, emphasized that open-source technologies, shared datasets, and international capacity-building initiatives could make AI resources more accessible to developing countries.
According to South African Government News Agency, Li made these remarks while addressing a session at the High-Level Conference on International Cooperation in Open Science currently underway in Shanghai, China. The event precedes the three-day 19th Pujian Innovation Forum in Shanghai, where South Africa is the Country of Honour. Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, Prof Blade Nzimande, is leading a high-powered South African delegation at the gathering, which includes scientists, researchers, innovators, and senior government officials.
Li highlighted AI's potential to drive scientific progress by processing complex and multidimensional information. He noted that China views cooperation with countries in the Global South as an integral part of its international AI programme. This includes exchanges involving Chinese researchers, United Nations institutions, and participating countries. China has released a Belt and Road Initiative AI Innovation Action Plan and a three-year programme focusing on AI, human resources, and science and technology capacity-building in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries.
Open innovation is a key principle of China's approach to AI development. Chinese research teams have released leading AI products and models known for their efficiency and low energy consumption, making their models open source and available to the world. Access to data remains central, with approximately 30,000 datasets made publicly available for use by AI institutions and government agencies.
Li stressed the need for safeguards alongside technological development to address AI-related risks. He called for industry-specific measures to tackle both immediate and long-term challenges from AI's expanding use. Li also urged developing countries to take an active role in shaping a global AI governance system and invited participating countries to deepen exchanges and share practical experience.