China's Xi tells G20 Summit AI should not be a 'game of rich countries': Xinhua

Chinese President Xi Jinping warned at the Group of 20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro that artificial intelligence should not be a "game of rich countries and the wealthy," state news agency Xinhua reported on Monday.

Xi also called for more international governance and cooperation on AI, Xinhua said. Earlier in the day, Xi touted China's support for the developing world and pledged more aid initiatives, including proposing an initiative with three other G20 members to help the Global South gain better access to scientific and technological innovations.

At a session on the reform of global governance institutions, the Chinese leader warned against protectionism in the name of green and low-carbon development, referring to tariffs on Chinese products like electric vehicles and biodiesel imposed by G20 members worried their economies' green transition could make them dependent on China.

"We need to improve global trade governance and build a world economy characterised by openness," Xi was quoted as saying by Xinhua.

Xi, who is on a Latin America diplomacy tour, also criticised protectionism last week while attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Lima, Peru.