At a recent sub-forum of the 20th Beijing-Tokyo Forum in Tokyo, representatives from China and Japan emphasized the importance of international cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI) governance and data sharing. Gao Shaolin, advisor at Peking University's Legal Artificial Intelligence Research Center, highlighted that this collaboration could significantly influence the digital economy.
The forum participants agreed that the next decade is crucial for AI development. Gao Wen, an academician from the Chinese Academy of Engineering, noted that since the 2017 guidelines from China's State Council, the country has made substantial advancements in AI research and infrastructure, particularly in computing power and 5G networks. By the end of 2023, China accounted for over half of the world's 1.57 billion 5G users.
Tatsuo Yamazaki from the International University of Health and Welfare expressed the importance of strengthening AI governance rules between the two nations. Fumihiko Kamio from the Nomura Research Institute underscored that AI technology's primary goal is to enhance productivity and remove barriers to social progress.
China's Global AI Governance Initiative, introduced last year, aims to foster international collaboration in AI capacity-building, which was further supported by a UN resolution. The forum participants recognized that establishing international standards and ethical frameworks is essential for effective AI governance.
Experts like Ding Wenhua and Wang Zhongyuan emphasized the need for deepening technological cooperation between China and Japan, focusing on AI security research and talent exchange.
AI governance is vital to ensuring that AI systems remain ethical and respect human rights. Xu Zhilong, editor-in-chief of Science and Technology Daily, warned about the potential risks of AI, such as data breaches and misinformation, advocating for a balanced approach to technological progress and ethical considerations.
Overall, the collaboration between China and Japan presents a unique opportunity to shape global AI governance and address the challenges posed by this rapidly evolving technology.