World AI Conference warns of digital divide without Global South access

During the World AI Conference held in Shanghai, attendees cautioned that fragmentation could lead to the isolation of emerging markets and the concentration of advanced computing in affluent nations. Xue Lan, the dean of Schwarzman College at Tsinghua University, emphasized the need for a global consensus to enhance interoperability among national governance frameworks and to avert rule fragmentation, advocating for increased collaboration between the Global South and Global North. Former Mongolian President Nambaryn Enkhbayar warned that regulating AI too early might hinder initial advancements in developing countries, stressing the importance of capitalizing on technological opportunities before imposing regulations. He also indicated Mongolia's willingness to collaborate with countries like China to advance AI development.