China’s Tech Vice Minister Advocates for ‘Equal Rights’ at UK Global AI Summit

Amidst the ongoing technological rift between China and the West, both parties are increasingly recognizing the potential dangers posed by unchecked artificial intelligence. Wu Zhaohui, China's Vice Minister of Science and Technology, is leading a delegation at the pivotal AI Safety Summit organized by the UK government this week.

A significant signal of China's perspective on AI is reflected in the delegates chosen for this event. In addition to Wu, notable attendees include Andrew Yao, one of China's leading computer scientists, as reported by the Financial Times.

Yao and his peers have joined their Western counterparts in advocating for "tighter controls" on AI, cautioning that this advanced technology could represent an "existential risk to humanity" over the next few decades, according to the FT report.

In contrast, Wu emphasized the importance of equitable access to advanced AI technologies. “We uphold the principles of mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefits. Regardless of size or scale, all countries deserve equal rights to develop and utilize AI,” he stated during his address at the summit on Wednesday.

Wu further urged for global collaboration, underscoring the need to share AI knowledge and make these technologies universally accessible through open-source platforms. His statements seem to reflect the supply chain challenges faced by China's AI firms amidst intensifying geopolitical frictions. The Biden administration has recently tightened restrictions that limit China’s access to Nvidia's cutting-edge AI chips, creating barriers to the country's capacity for training large language models effectively.

The summit, taking place from Wednesday to Thursday at Bletchley Park—the renowned site of WWII codebreakers—features an impressive lineup of politicians, including Vera Jourova, Vice President of the European Commission for Values and Transparency; Rajeev Chandrasekhar, India's Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology; Omar Sultan al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence; and Bosun Tijani, Nigeria's Technology Minister.

China’s involvement in the summit has sparked debate in recent weeks. Former British Prime Minister Liz Truss called on her successor, Rishi Sunak, to retract China's invitation, arguing that AI functions as a tool for state control and national security for the Chinese government.

In response, an op-ed from China’s state-run Global Times claimed that the UK summit has long been shaped by domestic politics, geopolitics, and varying ideologies. “Global AI governance is lagging behind the rapid pace of technological advancements,” the piece stated. “Thus, more inclusive discussions are essential. The UK’s hosting of a global AI safety summit presents an opportunity for such critical dialogue, beyond any subjective interpretations. China backs this initiative with tangible actions.”

Interestingly, it seems there are differing priorities regarding AI development even within China's bureaucracies. As Matt Sheehan from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace pointed out on X, various ministries are vying for leadership in AI governance both domestically and internationally.

The primary bodies influencing AI governance in China are the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), which primarily monitors internet content, and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), which sets high-level technological policy. Following years of involvement and funding in national programs, MOST recently restructured itself to focus on resource coordination to bolster China’s technological self-sufficiency from the West.

Similar internal political dynamics are evident in the governance of other emerging tech sectors in China. For example, gaming regulation falls mainly under the CAC, which oversees content and ideological considerations, as well as the National Press and Publication Administration, which grants licenses for game releases in China.