Shanghai AI Chief Song Haitao Outlines China’s Strategy to Bridge Global AI Gap

August 4 — Addressing the global divide in artificial intelligence and ensuring more nations can reap its benefits is a crucial challenge facing the international community, according to Song Haitao, dean and president of the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Research Institute.

Fresh from visiting Brazil, a member of the BRICS coalition where he toured two major national science laboratories and leading universities, Song focused on organizing the Emerging Markets and Developing Countries Forum on Bridging the AI Gap and the opening ceremony of a new global AI innovation center, both held yesterday at the 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai.

“BRICS nations are now placing significant emphasis on emerging technologies, from government officials to various institutions at all levels,” Song said in an interview. “As we enter the era of the fourth and fifth industrial revolutions, there’s broad consensus that AI is a key tool and a general-purpose technology driving this transformation.”

During his visit to Brazil, he toured the National Laboratory for Scientific Computing and the Brazilian Center for Physics Research. “They’re investing in areas like quantum communication and optical computing,” Song explained. Rio de Janeiro’s local government is also utilizing AI and digital technologies in public services such as urban safety and healthcare management, he added.

“Brazil’s substantial investment and progress in AI and high-performance computing exceeded my expectations,” Song noted.

However, “objectively speaking, the United States and China currently lead globally in AI technology,” he said, citing three main reasons for their advantage. First, talent accumulation: China’s large population provides a strong foundation in math and sciences, while the U.S. attracts top talent from around the world.

Second, investment scale: China and the U.S. together pour far more into AI research and infrastructure than all other countries combined, creating a solid platform for breakthroughs. Third, an integrated industrial chain: AI necessitates cohesive hardware and software ecosystems, and China’s manufacturing strength offers a significant edge.

“Over the past 30 to 40 years, we’ve followed global tech trends,” he said. “Now, in AI, we’re competing head-to-head with the U.S., driven by technological innovation.”

Despite gaps in core technologies, emerging markets are forging their own paths. For example, Brazil has capabilities in electronic design automation and chip design, albeit on a limited scale, Song mentioned.

“Over 90 percent of countries lack a complete chip supply chain. Brazil’s ability to maintain R&D capacity in this area is a significant achievement,” he explained, emphasizing that this foundation will facilitate future advancements. Additionally, Brazil’s strengths in agriculture and livestock offer unique opportunities for AI applications.

China’s Strategy

To combat the global AI gap, China has launched the “AI from China, Benefits the World” initiative, providing tailored solutions to promote inclusive development. Song revealed that in collaboration with partner countries such as Brazil, they aim to help build “sovereign AI” and “sovereign models.”

“First, we respect each country’s cultural and historical context,” he noted. “Second, for sectors involving public safety and strategic resources, we prioritize customizing technologies that respect local security and strategic concerns.”

This collaborative approach is based on three pillars: openness, inclusivity, and diversity. “Firstly, we promote open-source models, sharing technological gains transparently while maintaining security. Secondly, inclusivity entails respecting each country’s independence, cultures, and languages in technology use. Lastly, diversity involves honoring each nation’s specific needs,” Song explained.

Developing AI governance frameworks requires a shift from traditional tech regulation to an integrated approach that combines ethical considerations, cultural diversity, and the delivery of global public goods. An effective AI governance system must be multi-dimensional, focusing on positive technological use, ethical supervision, and international cooperation.

Nonetheless, challenges remain. Invisible barriers often hinder cross-border collaboration. As Song, an expert in the field, pointed out, “Current international research cooperation faces new dynamics and hurdles. The narrowing of certain channels for technical exchange has created significant barriers to joint research.” He highlighted that the future of global innovation will rely more on the efficiency of collaboration networks than on technological breakthroughs alone. “Real progress often stems from open knowledge flows, requiring stakeholders to apply their expertise to build resilient international partnerships,” he added.

Collaboration between the U.S. and China is crucial for advancing global scientific progress, especially in AI. Both countries, as leading AI nations, possess distinct advantages. By fostering mutual exchange and adhering to the principle of using technology ethically, they can generate synergistic effects, delivering solutions to global challenges that are greater than the sum of their parts.

He remains optimistic about the long-term outlook. “Temporary focus restrictions pose short-term obstacles, but complete isolation isn’t sustainable due to ongoing global talent flows, knowledge sharing, and free trade,” he said.

China continues to pursue various forms of international cooperation through the United Nations and other global organizations to build AI capacity and develop standards and ecosystems. His comments highlight the importance of extensive international technical exchanges to shape the future of AI standards, applications, and collaborative environments worldwide.

The Shanghai Model

As someone who has transitioned from academia to industry leadership, Song has a clear vision for commercializing AI. He believes that AI is shifting from consumer entertainment to the “deep water” industry realm—an area expected to be at the heart of business growth and investment over the next 5 to 15 years.

He is especially optimistic about intelligent robotics. “Smart robots will become ubiquitous in industrial, consumer, household, and community settings—just as PCs, smartphones, and automobiles did—expected to reach billions globally,” Song said. “The future integration of robots into daily life presents a massive market opportunity.”

The Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Research Institute has incubated over 30 companies, attracting more than CNY6 billion (approximately USD835 million), primarily through market-driven investments from industry giants like the battery manufacturer Contemporary Amperex Technology and venture capital firms such as Sequoia Capital.

He believes many AI entrepreneurs are transitioning from “technological innovation” to “scenario-based applications,” moving into the “paradigm-determining era.” For these innovators, Song suggests focusing on real-world needs rather than trends, building long-term capabilities with stable teams and consistent funding, and prioritizing early international expansion efforts.

As a leading hub for AI development in China, his institute is pioneering a full-cycle innovation model—from research to industrialization. Active collaborations with the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and BRICS countries like Brazil and India are helping to extend this model nationally and internationally. Upcoming visits from government officials and university leaders aim to advance high-performance computing and AI applications, he said.

At the start of the conference, the Global Alliance on AI for Industry and Manufacturing’s Center of Excellence Innovation Network was announced. This new international organization, jointly established by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and the Shanghai Municipal Government, represents the first UN framework dedicated to fostering AI cooperation among nations.

This initiative followed the 2024 inauguration of the world’s first Global Industrial AI Alliance Center of Excellence in Shanghai, which aims to bridge the digital gap between countries and facilitate idea-sharing and cooperation on AI development.

“My personal goal is to be a leading contributor to making AI globally beneficial,” said Song. From promoting open-source models to standardization efforts, from cultivating international talent to diversifying application scenarios, China is actively working to promote inclusive AI development worldwide.”