By Her Excellency Guo Haiyan, Chinese Ambassador to Guyana

WITH the development of technology in recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has been gradually integrated into our work, life and learning. Content creation, facial recognition, real-time translation, intelligent management and other AI-related technologies have become a leading force to drive economic and social transformation at a fast pace.

China attaches great importance to AI development and has become one of the main AI innovation and research bases in the world. In 2022, the number of AI companies in China exceeded 4,300, boasting more than 2,500 digital workshops and smart factories, creating an industry value of over 70 billion USD. The number of AI-related patent applications submitted by Chinese enterprises and institutions accounted for over 40 per cent of the world total. As part of the country’s drive to build a modern industrial system, we have a large and increasingly urgent demand for the deep integration of AI into different industries. This also provides a broad canvas for its innovation and uses.

While AI brings convenience and efficiency, it raises concerns about potential risks such as privacy protection, AI divide and autonomous consciousness. AI may have more powerful intelligence than human, but it also poses unpredictable security and ethical challenges as well. Only countries working together can address it. Knowing the double-edged sword effect, the Chinese government is seeking for a balance between regulation and innovation. It is actively participating in discussions and establishment of global AI governance as well as continuous improvement of safety standards.

President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Initiative for AI Governance last November, outlining China’s aim to implement 11 proposals about development, security and governance of AI, which provided a Chinese approach for relevant international discussions and rule-making.
First, to achieve secure development of AI.

We should uphold a people-centred approach so that AI always develops in a way that is beneficial to human civilization.

We should respect other countries’ national sovereignty and strictly abide by their laws when providing them with AI products and services.

We must adhere to the principle of developing AI for good, work together to prevent and fight against the misuse and malicious use of AI technologies by terrorists and other forces.
All countries, especially major countries, should adopt a prudent and responsible attitude to the research, development and application of AI technologies in the military field.

We should promote the establishment of a testing and assessment system based on AI risk levels, build trustworthy AI technologies that can be reviewed, monitored, and traced.

We should gradually establish and improve relevant laws, regulations and rules, ensure personal privacy and data security in the research, development and application of AI.

Second, to achieve shared development.

We should uphold the principles of mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit in AI development.

We oppose drawing ideological lines or forming exclusive groups to obstruct other countries from developing AI.

We should adhere to the principles of fairness and non-discrimination, and avoid biases and discrimination based on ethnicities, beliefs, nationalities, genders, etc., during process of research, development and application of AI.

Third, to achieve governance which is based on broad participation and consensus.
We should build sci-tech ethical review and regulatory system.

We must uphold the principles of wide participation and consensus-based decision-making, adopt a gradual approach, to build broad consensus in the international AI governance.

We should actively develop and apply technologies for AI governance.

We should increase the representation and voice of developing countries in global AI governance, support discussions within the United Nations framework to establish an international institution to govern AI.

As world peace and development face various challenges, China advocates that countries should build consensus through dialogue and cooperation, develop open, fair and efficient governing frameworks, norms, standards and mechanisms, so as to make AI technologies more secure, reliable, controllable and equitable. No country shall monopolise AI technology under the guise of “values based” or through the manner of “small-yard and high-fence”. AI should promote common development among countries.
The Government of Guyana paid high attention to the development and governance of AI. The One Guyana Digital Initiative was just launched. Coding training, school training and vocational training have been vigorously conducted, with the ICT facilities construction accelerated.

President Ali emphasised on multiple occasions the need to integrate education, training and commercial use of AI into industries such as agriculture, education, tourism etc., as well as the necessity to strengthen legislation to prevent AI-related risks, to better prepare Guyana for the era of intelligence. President Ali pointed out that the international AI cooperation system should be improved to avoid larger AI divide between countries, and that developing countries should play a greater role in the system. These positions coincide with those of China.

UN Secretary General Guterres appealed that we should respond to this technology with a sense of urgency, a global lens and a learner’s mindset, racing against time to promote AI for the benefit of humanity.

For the purpose of injecting positive energy into the global AI development, China is willing to collaborate with other countries including Guyana, to enhance the AI cooperation, share the AI dividend, prevent the AI divide, as well as improve AI risk management through establishing a fair and reasonable governance mechanism.