The local government of Shanghai has officially rolled out the Shanghai Declaration on Global AI Governance, a significant five-point commitment aimed at promoting open AI development and fostering international collaboration. This pivotal declaration was unveiled during the opening ceremony of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai.
Key highlights of the Shanghai Declaration include:
1. **Promotion of AI Research and Development**: The declaration emphasizes the need for active support in AI research across various sectors such as healthcare, transportation, and agriculture. This drive aims to harness AI's potential to enhance efficiency and innovation in these critical industries.
2. **Focus on AI Safety**: Ensuring the responsible use of AI is a priority. The declaration pledges to prevent the misuse of AI in manipulating public opinion and generating misinformation, reinforcing commitments to ethical standards in AI deployment.
3. **International Technology Transfer**: A commitment to cooperate in the transfer of AI technologies in a spirit of openness and mutual benefit is also outlined. This collaborative approach aims to facilitate wider access to advanced AI capabilities and foster innovation globally.
4. **Employment Impact Mitigation**: Recognizing the potential disruption caused by AI advancements, the declaration includes measures aimed at addressing the impact of AI on employment, ensuring that workers can adapt to changes in the job market.
5. **Collaboration for Global Development**: "We look forward to the positive response of governments, the scientific community, industry leaders, and all stakeholders to collectively harness AI for the betterment of humanity,” stated Chen Jining, the Party Secretary for Shanghai.
During the opening ceremony, Chinese Premier Li Qiang emphasized the importance of AI governance and security, expressing China’s readiness to collaborate with other nations to optimize AI's role in global development. This initiative builds on China's ongoing commitment to AI governance, which includes backing international resolutions aimed at promoting trustworthy AI.
Furthermore, a new United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) AI Center of Excellence was inaugurated during the WAIC, focusing on the industrial and manufacturing sectors. The AIM Global program is designed to nurture responsible AI developments while ensuring that developing countries gain equitable access to AI technologies and know-how.
Gerd Müller, the UNIDO Director General, remarked, “With our Global Alliance on AI for Industry and Manufacturing, UNIDO provides a vital connection between industrialized nations, private enterprises, academic institutions, and developing countries.” He highlighted China’s leadership in industrialization and AI, stating that the new AIM Global Centre of Excellence in Shanghai will enhance support for best practices and technology transfer, empowering the Global South to leverage AI for development and help bridge the digital divide.
The Center of Excellence is backed by the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Shanghai Municipal People's Government, and it will be hosted at the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, where Müller and a UNIDO delegation visited following the ceremony.
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