International AI leader hails china as global leader in AI and calls for collaborative governance

During the fourth Global AI Ethics Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Majid Ali Al Shehri, acting director of the International Center for AI Research and Ethics (ICAIRE), praised China as a leading nation in AI. Al Shehri emphasized the importance of balancing innovation with regulation, urging China to set a global example. The forum, organized by UNESCO and Saudi Arabia, ran from September 15 to 17, 2026, with a focus on improving global cooperation for AI ethics. Al Shehri highlighted China's strong AI ecosystem, including infrastructure, data centers, and R&D capabilities. He also proposed establishing AI ethics master's programs at top universities worldwide, inviting Chinese institutions to participate. The ICAIRE, founded in 2023 with UNESCO support, is actively seeking partnerships with Chinese organizations to advance AI ethics research and collaboration. The forum aimed to address challenges in translating AI governance policies into practical implementation. Al Shehri noted that while global consensus on AI ethics exists, the key challenge lies in integrating these standards into the AI industry's value chain.