From September 3 to September 6, the Workshop on AI Capacity Building, hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations and organized by the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, was held at Shanghai Administration Institute. The four-day workshop was attended by government officials and experts from nearly 40 countries in Asia, Africa and Europe. Through interactive exchanges and other forms, the attendees gained an in-depth understanding of the development trend of AI technology. On the morning of September 3, Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech, MA Zhaoxu, Vice Foreign Minister, delivered a video speech, and CHEN Jie, Vice Mayor of Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech.

The world is at a historic juncture, Antonio Guterres said. AI is evolving and changing the world at an astonishing rate and will contribute to the achievement of the sustainable development g oals. However, AI opportunities are not equitably distributed, and many countries have not yet truly benefited from them. To harness the full potential of AI, the international community should enhance solidarity and cooperation to bridge the intelligence gap. Guterres stressed that the United Nations has a unique advantage in promoting and supporting international exchanges and cooperation for AI. The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a China-proposed resolution on strengthening international cooperation for AI capacity building. The workshop will contribute to the implementation of the above-mentioned resolution and promote further cooperation among all parties. It is expected that the international community will work together to promote AI development and governance and create a fairer and better future for all people.

Ma Zhaoxu mentioned that in October last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Global AI Governance Initiative, providing China’s solutions for global AI governance, a major topic of the era. China looks forward to further building consensus on the issue of global AI governance at the UN Summit of the Future and giving full play to the leading role of the UN. MA Zhaoxu pointed out that China advocates strengthening AI capacity building and promoting fair and inclusive global governance. In July this year, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution on strengthening international cooperation for AI capacity building proposed by China, reflecting the common voice of the international community. China is both an advocate and an implementer. It is hoped that this workshop will become a successful meeting for technical exchange, experience sharing and practical cooperation.

CHEN Jie said that in recent years, Shanghai has taken AI as the leading industry for key development, focusing on building AI “Shanghai Highland” and developing a world-class high-end industrial cluster. It has continued to make breakthroughs in key core technologies, optimize the open-source system, and improve the industrial innovation ecosystem. Shanghai is willing to work hand in hand with all parties to better empower thousands of businesses and industries and benefit thousands of households with AI technologies. We warmly welcome all guests to strengthen innovation cooperation with Shanghai in the field of AI, share the broad opportunities of China’s development in the new era, and jointly promote the AI industry for the benefit of people all over countries.

The event was attended by FU Cong, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, LI Junhua, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Cristina Duarte, Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Africa to the United Nations Secretary-General, ZENG Jun, Executive Vice President of Shanghai Administration Institute.