China’s Xi Jinping addresses World AI Conference as US tech rivalry heats up

AI Summary

Chinese President Xi Jinping will speak at the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Hong Kong, signaling China's prioritization of AI as a strategic geopolitical and technological endeavor amid rising tensions with the United States over semiconductor exports and AI access.

President Xi Jinping will speak on Friday at the opening of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), China’s largest annual event for the AI industry. Xi’s personal attendance elevates the conference’s profile, and indicates AI development has become both a technological imperative and a cornerstone of China’s geopolitical strategy. As Washington maintains strict export controls on advanced semiconductors and restricts overseas access to top AI models, Beijing is accelerating...