Page 10 - The Indian EYE 091826

OPINION SEPTEMBER 18, 2026 | The Indian Eye 10

China’s AI

Diplomacy and the

Global South

China’s AI diplomacy in the Global South consists of three primary strategies:
the promotion of Chinese open-weight models, the expansion of AI cooperation networks, and the

institutionalisation of a China-led AI governance architecture

Graphic courtesy: IDSA

son keynote address on the inclusive development; and the institutionalisa- innovation, constrained by US export
development of Artificial Intelligence tion of the Chinese approach to the restrictions and access to high-end
(AI) and the building of an equitable governance of AI. chips, China is engaged in improving
and just AI governance system. Sino-US competition to achieve AI efficiency, open-source models,
While ‘AI diplomacy’ is not of- AI supremacy is multifaceted. The and large-scale deployment across its
ficially incorporated in policy docu- broad pillars of this contest are chips domestic sector.
ments, China has been increasingly and computing power, models, AI ap- From a realpolitik perspective,
using its technical prowess in AI as plications, talent, research skills, data the hustle between the US and China
a diplomatic asset in its engagement availability and capital investments. for AI supremacy reflects a broader
with countries, especially from the Observers note that, given their dif- geopolitical contest to dominate the
MAYURI BANERJEE Global South. ferent strategies and approaches to AI future international order, which,
As Beijing sees AI as the next development, a definitive assessment in the coming years, will be heavily
hina held the annual World frontier of great power competition of who is winning the AI race is pre- shaped by AI.
Artificial Intelligence Confer- and a tool of global influence, Chinese mature. While the US is leading with The power that leads AI will hold
Cence in Shanghai from 17 July AI diplomacy rests on three pillars— cutting-edge models and computing considerable leverage over the shape
to 20 July, with the theme ‘Intelligent the promotion of Chinese-developed power and holds an advantageous of the international order. An Ameri-
Partners, Co-create the Future’. Pres- open-weight AI models; the forging position in semiconductors, capital-in- can lead could mean the continuance
ident Xi Jinping delivered an in-per- of a network for technology and talent tensive infrastructure, and proprietary Continued on next page... >>

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