Xi Champions Open-Source A.I. to Expand China’s Soft Power as U.S. Rivals Keep Code Closed
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 23
Xi Champions Open-Source A.I. to Expand China’s Soft Power as U.S. Rivals Keep Code Closed
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 23
Summary
Xi Jinping cast open-source A.I. as a “rare and historical opportunity” for China to spread the technology’s benefits worldwide and shape how global A.I. develops.
China is promoting low-cost, shareable models as an alternative to the closed, pricier systems sold by U.S. companies, arguing that wider access can speed adoption without sacrificing security.
That push places A.I. at the center of a new soft-power strategy, replacing older cultural influence with technology standards and platforms that could deepen China’s global reach.
The message lands amid an intensifying U.S.-China contest in A.I., with OpenAI, Anthropic and Google guarding their code while Chinese groups such as DeepSeek, Moonshot AI, Z.ai and Alibaba back open-source approaches.
Is China's open AI a gift for global progress or a Trojan horse for technological dominance?
If open-source AI is cheaper and powerful, why are businesses still betting big on closed American systems?
How are China's AI-powered 'micro-dramas' quietly reshaping global culture and entertainment?
China's Open-Source AI Gambit: WAICO, Rare Earth Leverage, and the Global Race for AI Supremacy (2026)
Overview
In July 2026, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a pivotal speech at the World AI Conference in Shanghai, promoting open-source AI as a global public good and emphasizing openness, collaboration, and sharing. This vision marks a strategic shift in China’s AI diplomacy, using open models, educational initiatives, and technical standards to strengthen its international influence, especially amid growing competition with the United States. By consistently advocating for global cooperation and multilateralism in AI governance, China’s proactive approach has gained positive responses from many countries, positioning it as a leader in shaping the future of global AI development.