Distinguished international guests included Kim You-sik, President of the Choi Jong Hyun Academy, Republic of Korea; Jin Park, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea; Ray Duch, Professor at Nuffield College, University of Oxford; Louis W. Pauly, Professor at the University of Toronto; Kisoon Park, Professor at Sungkyunkwan University Graduate School of China; Daniel Mügge, Professor at the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Amsterdam; Jong Hee Park, Professor at the Institute for Future Strategy, Seoul National University; Toshiro Nishizawa, Professor at the Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Tokyo; Ljubisa Bojic, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Artificial Intelligence Research and Development of Serbia; Ryu Yongwook, Associate Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore; and Wang Jue, Associate Professor at the School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University.

Chinese participants included Wu Zhicheng, Dean of the Institute for International Strategic Studies at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance) and Jean Monnet Chair Professor; Tang Li and Gao Qiqi, Professors at the School of International Relations and Public Affairs, Fudan University; and Zhang Yun, Professor at the School of International Studies, Nanjing University.

From Peking University, attendees included Chu Xiaobo, Dean of the Division of Social Sciences and Professor at the School of International Studies; Tang Shiqi, Dean of the School of International Studies and Boya Distinguished Professor; Kang Tao, Secretary of the CPC Committee; Zhang Haibin, Vice Dean and Boya Distinguished Professor; Pang Xun, Professor; Jie Dalai, Associate Professor; Luo Hang, Tenured Associate Professor; and Lai Huaxia, Liu Lu, and Lu Xiao, Assistant Professors. Over fifty students from various schools and departments of Peking University participated. The opening session was chaired by Professor Zhang Haibin.

Conference Venue

Zhang Haibin, Moderator

Opening Session

In his opening remarks, Professor Chu Xiaobo extended warm congratulations on the successful convening of the sub-forum and heartfelt welcome to all participants. He noted that the development of artificial intelligence (AI) is not merely a technological revolution but a profound transformation of the paradigm of human civilization and governance. The essence of AI lies in its human origin—algorithms are designed and embedded within specific political, social, and economic contexts. Therefore, to govern AI, humanity must first govern itself.

Chu emphasized that while algorithms bring convenience and efficiency, blind faith in “digital fetishism” risks alienating human beings. At this juncture, it is more urgent than ever to uphold the principle that “algorithms should serve humanity and promote good.” The forum, he said, seeks to critically reflect on and transcend the industrial-age logic of governance, building a new global order that aligns with the spirit of the digital-intelligence civilization. Peking University, with its rich humanistic tradition and deep sense of national responsibility, will continue to integrate humanities, social sciences, and digital technology to advance human dignity and collective well-being throughout the entire process of digital design, application, and governance.

Chu Xiaobo, Opening Remarks

In his address, Professor Tang Shiqi observed that the rapid development of AI compels humanity to revisit the fundamental question—what does it mean to be human? Drawing on insights from both Eastern and Western thinkers such as Plato, Hobbes, Confucius, and Wang Yangming, he stressed that one is not born human but becomes human through learning and moral cultivation. While AI can provide knowledge, it cannot replace the individual process of becoming a complete moral and intellectual being.

He further noted that although AI poses serious challenges to traditional industries and social equity, it simultaneously liberates human rationality and opens unprecedented opportunities. If each individual earnestly reflects on and elevates their humanity, AI could become a tool for a new stage of human advancement. Tang concluded that in the AI era, global governance should aim to create more and better opportunities for every person to become truly human.

Tang Shiqi, Opening Remarks

Session I: Paradigm Shifts in Global Governance in the Age of Intelligence — Reconstructing Ideas and Rebalancing Power

The first session, chaired by Professor Zhang Haibin, featured keynote speeches by Wu Zhicheng, Louis W. Pauly, Kisoon Park, Jie Dalai, Zhang Yun, Ryu Yongwook, and Lai Huaxia.

Professor Wu Zhicheng delivered a talk titled “Guided by the Four Global Initiatives: Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind.” He elaborated on how China’s Four Global Initiatives—on Development, Security, Civilization, and Governance—jointly serve as the foundation, precondition, spiritual support, and governance cornerstone for reconstructing global governance in the digital era.

Wu Zhicheng, Presentation

Professor Louis W. Pauly discussed “The Insuring State in an Uncertain World: Toward Cooperative Governance,” tracing the evolution of insurance as a key mechanism of risk management and proposing a public-private collaborative model for AI-era risk governance.

Louis W. Pauly, Presentation

Professor Kisoon Park addressed “Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence: From East Asia to the World,” calling for a sustainable AI governance ecosystem built upon transparency, accountability, inclusivity, and adaptability, with East Asia playing a pioneering role.

Kisoon Park, Presentation

Associate Professor Jie Dalai examined “Artificial Intelligence and the Transformation of Power,” analyzing how AI reshapes the concept and distribution of power in international relations, from military strategy to supply chains and decision-making.

Jie Dalei, Presentation

Professor Zhang Yun spoke on “Two Security Perceptions and Global AI Governance: From the Bandung Conference to the Global Security Initiative,” highlighting the relevance of Bandung’s pluralist spirit for the Global South in rethinking security under AI-driven globalization.

Zhang Yun, Presentation

Associate Professor Ryu Yongwook presented “Great Power Geopolitical Rivalry, the Fragmentation of AI Governance, and Its Consequences,” urging coordination between major powers, particularly China and the United States, to prevent the polarization of global AI governance.

Ryu Yongwook, Presentation

Assistant Professor Lai Huaxia discussed “Artificial Intelligence and the Transformation of the International Legal Order,” emphasizing that AI is not merely a regulatory object but a systemic disruptor requiring a human-centered, collaborative governance framework based on dignity and shared responsibility.

Lai Huaxia, Presentation

Session II: Global Governance of AI Risks — From Technical Dilemmas to Institutional Coordination

The second session, chaired by Professor Daniel Mügge, featured keynote addresses from Ray Duch, Jong Hee Park, Tang Li, Pang Xun, and Liu Lu.

Daniel Mügge, Moderator

Professor Ray Duch introduced “A New Paradigm for AI Governance: Intelligent RCTs, Public Opinion, and Design Innovation,” presenting Oxford’s Talk to Machines (T2M) project and its implications for governance and public opinion modeling.

Ray Duch, Presentation

Professor Jong Hee Park analyzed “Artificial Intelligence and International Politics at the Crossroads: Reconstructing Functional Division of Power,” arguing that AI governance should transform competition into institutionalized cooperation.

Jong-Hee Park, Presentation

Professor Tang Li presented empirical findings on “The Impact of AI on Knowledge Creation and Dissemination: Evidence from Public Administration Research,” showing AI’s significant contribution to research innovation and influence.

Tang Li, Presentation

Professor Pang Xun explored “The Autonomization Dilemma: Risks of Machine-Driven Decision-Making in Geopolitics,” warning of the unpredictable risks of deploying AI in high-stakes political decision-making.

Pang Xun, Presentation

Assistant Professor Liu Lu offered “Governing AI Risks: Three Scenarios from Criminology and Legal Perspectives,” discussing governance challenges across illicit use, predictive policing, and data privacy.

Liu Lu, Presentation

Session III: Technology Empowerment and Global Governance Reconstruction — The Practice and Power Redistribution of AI

Chaired by Professor Pang Xun, the third session featured Daniel Mügge, Gao Qiqi, Ljubisa Bojic, Toshiro Nishizawa, Wang Jue, and Luo Hang.

Pang Xun, Moderator

Professor Daniel Mügge discussed “Inclusivity, Selectivity, or Both? Pathways for Differentiated Cooperation in AI Governance,” suggesting that middle-power regions like the EU and East Asia can pioneer diverse governance models beyond great power rivalry.

Daniel Mügge, Presentation

Professor Gao Qiqi presented “The Advent of General Artificial Intelligence and the Deep Transformation of Global Governance Systems,” calling for the establishment of an international AI agency and global “intelligence tax” mechanisms to ensure fairness and accountability.

Gao Qiqi, Presentation

Dr. Ljubisa Bojic warned in “The Boiling Frog Effect: How the Development and Diffusion of AI Pose Existential Risks to Humanity” that emotion-responsive AI may erode human autonomy and collective rationality.

Ljubisa Bojic, Presentation

Professor Toshiro Nishizawa examined “Can Artificial Intelligence Enhance Global Governance for the Benefit of Humanity?” proposing a multidimensional framework for evaluating AI’s impact on human well-being and global justice.

Toshiro Nishizawa, Presentation

Associate Professor Wang Jue analyzed “Artificial Intelligence and Knowledge Equality: Mapping Global AI-Assisted Research Patterns,” revealing both the equalizing and polarizing effects of AI on global academic production.

Wang Jue, Presentation

Associate Professor Luo Hang presented “The Role of Individuals, Coalitions, and Structural Influence in Collective Decision-Making,” developing a multi-level model that also applies to AI-assisted group decision systems.

Luo Hang, Presentation

Closing Remarks

In his closing address, Kang Tao noted that this year’s sub-forum, by focusing on global governance in the digital age, transcended traditional dichotomies and explored institutional reconstruction from multiple dimensions. It represented both an academic contribution to President Xi Jinping’s Global Governance Initiative and a platform for dialogue among leading scholars, policymakers, and technologists worldwide.

Kang Tao, Closing Remarks

He expressed sincere gratitude on behalf of the School of International Studies to all participants for their insightful contributions, and to the Beijing Municipal Education Commission, the Korea Foundation for Advanced Studies, the Choi Jong Hyun Academy, and the Beijing Forum Secretariat for their strong support, as well as to the organizing team for their meticulous coordination.

The International Relations Sub-Forum of Beijing Forum 2025 concluded successfully. We look forward to gathering again in the beautiful autumn of next year at Yanyuan!

Group Photo of Forum Participants

 

Written by: Qi Shiqian, Zhou Zilin, Lin Jinfeng, Gao Jingwen
Edited by: Wang Haimei, Yu Yan

Source:SIS News(Chinese)