On July 31, a delegation led by Nicole Gregory, Deputy Director of International Tech Department at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), visited the Institute for AI International Governance (I-AIIG) of Tsinghua University. The visit focused on discussions around global AI governance, sustainable technology cooperation, and Sino-British technological collaboration. The meeting was attended by Professor Xue Lan, Dean of the Institute; Professor Zhu Xufeng, Chief Expert on Technology Governance; and Professor Shen Weixing, Chief Expert on AI Law and Regulations. The meeting was chaired by Vice Dean Liang Zheng.
Nicole Gregory, along with Perry Smith, who oversees related initiatives, engaged in detailed discussions with the Institute's experts on global AI governance and the scope of UK-China technological collaboration.
Professor Xue Lan highlighted that China's scale and complexity pose challenges in coordinating the numerous research institutions involved in AI safety. Given China's vast territory and large population, adjustments and coordination in the technology sector take time. He emphasized that fostering international cooperation with China in the AI field requires overcoming past challenges and ensuring a balanced approach to engagement. This means considering China's unique national context and social structure, and establishing effective collaborative mechanisms across government agencies, research institutions, and enterprises. Such an approach not only accelerates technological innovation and application but also ensures that international cooperation projects progress smoothly in a complex environment.
Professor Zhu Xufeng pointed out the significance of including AI governance in China's current discussions. He stressed the importance of enabling more countries to play a pivotal role in AI governance and ensuring that emerging governance frameworks and institutions encompass all stakeholders. Excluding certain nations, particularly in the control of AI, could lead to power imbalances and undermine the effectiveness of international governance mechanisms. Therefore, global discussions on AI governance must be inclusive and diverse, ensuring that a wide range of perspectives and interests are considered. This approach helps build a more equitable, effective, and sustainable international governance system to address the challenges and opportunities brought by AI.
