Report ranks nation second after US

China ranked second behind the US in a global artificial intelligence governance index released on Friday, making it the only major developing country among the top-ranked economies.

The index was unveiled during a forum on global AI governance and sustainable development at the 2026 World AI Conference and High-level Meeting on Global AI Governance.

"The data shows China's distinct approach to AI development, which are focusing on balanced growth instead of simply building more powerful AI, managing risks through responsible governance, and making sure the benefits of AI are shared globally," said the report released by the Center for Global AI Innovative Governance.

"It is worth noting that China performs consistently across all four dimensions, with its score of inclusiveness the highest among all," said Gao Qiqi, researcher of the Center for Global AI Innovative Governance.

Rather than offering a model to replicate, China's approach shows that AI development can follow a more open and inclusive path instead of a race for technological dominance, according to the report.

"At a time when global AI capabilities are becoming increasingly concentrated and the technology gap risks widening, such an approach offers useful insights for building a fairer and more inclusive global AI governance framework," the report said.

The report was compiled after evaluating the AI governance conditions of 40 countries in four major dimensions, namely capability, responsibility, inclusiveness and sustainability.

"The report focuses on two key balances: between AI capability and governance, and between the Global North and the Global South. It introduces a 'governance ladder' framework, in which AI development progresses from capability to responsibility, inclusiveness and, ultimately, sustainability," said Gao, who is also a professor of Fudan University's School of International Relations and Public Affairs.

The report itself is the result of the WAIC last year, according to Jin Li, president of Fudan University and academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences.

According to Jin, rather than a single-discipline research institute, the center serves as an international platform for collaboration on AI innovation and governance.

"Over the past year, backed by the central government and the Shanghai municipal government, the center has advanced work in global AI governance, capacity building, AI ethics, public products and international outreach," Jin noted.

Zhao Houlin, co-chair of international advisory board at the Center for Global AI Innovative Governance, said without closing the digital divide, the AI gap will only widen.

"About 6 billion people worldwide now use the internet, yet some 2.2 billion remain offline, most of them in low and middle income countries. At the same time, advanced computing infrastructure, high-quality data and AI talent are concentrated in a handful of countries and companies," said Zhao, who is also the former secretary-general of the International Telecommunication Union.

According to him, countries that lack reliable and affordable internet access and electricity can hardly train local AI models, develop AI industries or participate in global AI governance on an equal footing.

"China's extensive 5G rollout has played a vital role in the country's AI development and will continue to support future innovation. Without such digital infrastructure, AI would fall short of its potential not only in China but around the world," Zhao added.

Looking ahead, as artificial intelligence draws closer, the need for global cooperation will continue to grow. Only through openness instead of isolation, sharing instead of monopoly, and collaboration instead of confrontation can AI truly become a benefit for all humanity, the report added.