Collaboration seen as key to shaping the future of AI

China and Europe have different approaches to artificial intelligence, but they share a common objective, which includes building technological capacity, strengthening competitiveness, and securing a place in the economy of the future, said Charles Michel, former president of the European Council and now distinguished professor at the China Europe International Business School, or CEIBS.

Michel made the remarks at the 12th Europe Forum 2026 in Brussels on Wednesday, themed around strategic opportunities in EU-China AI development.

"China is in a strong position, with access to critical raw materials. You innovate a lot, you innovate fast, and with the ambition to deploy AI at a large scale," he said, pointing out that Europe, meanwhile, has focused on finding a balance between innovation, privacy protection, and data governance, among others.

"We need multilateral and bilateral frameworks where we can exchange views, improve mutual understanding, reduce risks and manage competition. This is what we should continue to do between the European Union and China," Michel said.

The forum, hosted by the CEIBS, brought together policymakers, business leaders and academics to discuss how China and Europe can navigate the rapid rise of AI while maintaining economic cooperation and technological competitiveness.

Wang Hong, president and professor of management at the CEIBS, said cooperation between China and Europe has become increasingly important as both sides seek to balance innovation and governance.

Although China and Europe follow different development models, they share the view that AI development should not be defined by a single technological hegemon, Wang said.

China's scale advantages and vast market potential can complement Europe's experience in governance and institutional innovation, creating an important balancing force in global AI governance.

Frank Bournois, co-president (European) and a professor of governance and leadership at the CEIBS, said AI cooperation should not be viewed simply as expanding the size of the global AI market. Instead, it also involves addressing differences in governance philosophies and regulatory approaches.

According to Bournois, the European Union places greater emphasis on privacy protection, legal accountability and public trust, while China has earned widespread recognition for its speed of innovation and ability to rapidly scale technologies.

"It's not just about making the cake bigger, but also about putting different ingredients and recipes into the cake of AI," Bournois said while talking about how the two sides could cooperate.

While China and Europe may not follow the same model, sustained dialogue can help bridge differences and bring the two sides closer together, he added.