Li Qiang Calls for People Centered AI at Wuzhen Summit

Chinese Premier Li Qiang called for a people centered approach to AI at the opening of the 2026 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit on Tuesday, The Standard reports. He said humans should remain in control of intelligent machines and algorithmic models should follow shared ethical values.

Li also backed open source innovation and knowledge sharing, while pledging support for digital infrastructure in the Global South. He opposed a "digital iron curtain" and called for a more equitable system of global internet governance.

The summit's Light of Internet Expo presented more than 1,000 technologies from 671 companies, including robots for manufacturing, garment sewing and health services. Cybersecurity company Qi An Xin said advanced AI models can find and exploit network vulnerabilities within hours, leading security experts to call for defensive systems that also use AI.