On 23 April 2026, the Research Centre for International Governance of Cyberspace at SASS, together with the Shanghai Association for AI and Social Development, hosted the First Forum on International Governance of Cyberspace at SASS. Held under the theme “Artificial Intelligence Development and Cooperation: A Region and Country Studies Perspective,” the forum brought together experts and scholars to examine emerging issues in global AI governance.
Artificial intelligence is reshaping global industry, geopolitics, international rule-making and patterns of state competition at an unprecedented pace. It has become a key arena in the latest wave of technological revolution and strategic competition among major powers. At the same time, AI is far more than a purely technological phenomenon. Its development and governance are deeply rooted in specific historical and cultural contexts, shaped by different legal frameworks, and influenced by diverse social values and ethical expectations.
Liu Yun, Vice President of SASS, noted that AI governance research conducted without a region and country studies perspective is prone to abstraction, unilateralism and technological determinism, while region and country studies that overlook the AI dimension struggle to address the evolving realities of the digital age and the changing global geopolitical landscape. Integrating these two fields represents not only an important avenue for theoretical innovation, but also a practical necessity for supporting national strategies, informing diplomatic decision-making, contributing to global rule-making, and safeguarding national digital sovereignty and cybersecurity.
Pan Jingwen, Party Secretary of the School of Foreign Languages and Literature (School of Region and Country Studies) at Heilongjiang University, observed that different countries have adopted distinct approaches to AI governance. The European Union has established a governance framework centered on risk classification and the protection of fundamental rights, while the United States emphasizes market-driven innovation; China advocates a balanced approach that integrates development with security and promotes the building of a community with a shared future in cyberspace. Many countries in the Global South, meanwhile, place greater emphasis on technological inclusiveness and the protection of development rights. Owing to their distinct historical and cultural traditions, political systems, development priorities and social and ethical values, countries have adopted markedly different approaches to the development and governance of artificial intelligence. Understanding these differences lies at the heart of region and country studies.
The forum examined global AI governance from three perspectives: major countries and regions, regional processes, and key international mechanisms. Participants explored the opportunities and challenges facing global AI governance and engaged in in-depth discussions on future pathways for international cooperation and governance.
