China will strengthen international cooperation on artificial intelligence, help bridge the global intelligence divide, and promote sustainable AI development worldwide, according to an action plan unveiled on July 17.

Released during the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai, the plan was jointly issued by the National Development and Reform Commission and other government departments. It aims to foster an open, cooperative ecosystem for AI development.

The plan outlines measures across eight areas, including increasing the supply of high-quality data, improving access to computing power, promoting open-source development, expanding AI applications, and cultivating digital talent.

Among its initiatives, the plan encourages countries to jointly build international open-source AI communities and foster a global open-source ecosystem that is open, inclusive, secure, and well-governed.

The plan further calls for deeper cooperation under the AI Plus initiative and greater support for digital and AI capacity building in developing countries.

Separately, the commission released a collection of 10 case studies showcasing China's international cooperation in the AI sector.

Published for the third consecutive year, the collection covers a broader range of countries and regions and features applications of AI across a broader range of scenarios than previous editions, according to the NDRC.

The latest edition places greater emphasis on a people-centered approach and the principle of using AI for good, while highlighting China's practices and contributions to global AI development, the commission said.

Source: China Daily website