“Why we should cooperate with China on AI regulation”: An Interview with Tom Abram

Foreword

Artificial intelligence has rapidly emerged as one of the defining geopolitical, economic, and technological issues of the twenty-first century. Beyond transforming economies and societies, AI is increasingly shaping global power relations, industrial competitiveness, information control, and national security. As governments race to develop and regulate these technologies, the question of who defines the rules, standards, and norms governing AI has become a matter of growing strategic importance. In this context, China has positioned itself not only as a leading AI power, but also as an increasingly influential actor in global debates surrounding AI regulation, ethics, and technical standards.

China’s approach to AI governance must be understood within the broader context of its strategic planning framework and long-term technological ambitions. Artificial intelligence was identified as a key priority in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025), which emphasized technological self-reliance, digital infrastructure, and leadership in emerging technologies as central pillars of China’s modernization strategy. More recently, AI governance and technological security have featured prominently in high-level Party discussions surrounding preparations for the next development cycle and broader debates on “high-quality development.” During recent Politburo meetings and Central Committee discussions, Chinese leaders have repeatedly stressed the importance of developing “safe, reliable, and controllable” artificial intelligence while ensuring the “healthy and orderly development” of the sector. These discussions reflect Beijing’s dual ambition: accelerating innovation and strategic competitiveness while maintaining political stability, social cohesion, and Party control over rapidly evolving technologies.

At the same time, China is seeking to shape international AI governance through initiatives such as the Global AI Governance Initiative, increased engagement in international standardization bodies, and the global expansion of Chinese digital infrastructure and AI technologies. These developments carry significant implications not only for China’s domestic governance model, but also for Europe and the broader international community as they navigate questions of technological dependence, digital sovereignty, security, and regulatory coordination.

In this interview, Tom Abram discusses the evolution of China’s domestic AI regulatory framework, the political and strategic logic underpinning Beijing’s governance approach, and China’s growing role in global AI governance initiatives. The conversation also explores the opportunities and limitations of EU-China cooperation on AI governance, highlighting both areas of potential convergence, such as technical safety and content labelling, and deeper normative divergences regarding state authority, individual rights, and technological sovereignty.

Conducted by Loke Sandvall, Katja Pomortseva, and Felicia Kämpe, this interview is divided into three parts from domestic to an international perspective. The exchange offers important insight into how China views AI not merely as a technological tool, but as a central component of economic modernization, political governance, and international influence.