21 APEC Economies Back Open-Source AI With Security Rules at Chengdu Summit
Updated
Updated · CNBC · Jul 24
21 APEC Economies Back Open-Source AI With Security Rules at Chengdu Summit
3 articles · Updated · CNBC · Jul 24
Summary
The 21 APEC member economies, including the U.S. and China, issued a Chengdu statement supporting open-source AI while requiring strong security assurance, data protection and intellectual property safeguards.
The minister-level statement reflects governments' push to exert more oversight as more powerful open models spread and concerns grow over cybersecurity, supply chains and online scams.
China's Li Lecheng said it was the first APEC AI statement to include open-source cooperation, while analysts said the wording gives security-conscious governments room to back open models with testing, transparency and deployment controls.
The agreement also highlights a wider shift in Asia-Pacific AI strategy toward open-weight ecosystems tied to state-coordinated compute and digital infrastructure, even as Washington and Beijing tighten controls on domestic AI capabilities.
As China's free AI models dominate, can the new APEC 'trust' framework prevent one nation from controlling the world's AI infrastructure?
If anyone can modify open-source AI, how can the new 'trusted' standard realistically prevent the technology's misuse?
Asia-Pacific AI Governance in 2026: The Chengdu Statement, China’s “Third Way,” and the Rise of WAICO
Overview
The 2026 APEC Digital and AI Ministerial Meeting in Chengdu marked a turning point for digital cooperation in the Asia-Pacific. Through the Chengdu Statement, APEC economies committed to responsible and inclusive digital transformation, emphasizing that cooperation and collaboration are essential for shared prosperity. China played a key role in strengthening these ties, aiming to ensure that the benefits of the digital revolution reach all members. The report highlights how APEC economies are guided to navigate the complexities of digital transformation and AI, with a collective ambition to harness these technologies for mutual growth and development across the region.