Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai this week, using his appearance to push for inclusive development of artificial intelligence. The conference, a major event on China’s tech calendar, drew thousands of attendees – but cryptocurrency was notably absent from the agenda.
Xi’s message on AI inclusivity
Speaking at the gathering, Xi advocated for AI that benefits all of humanity, stressing the need to close digital divides and avoid monopolistic control. He didn’t mention Bitcoin, Ethereum, or any digital asset by name. The speech was squarely focused on the governance and ethical deployment of AI systems.
Why crypto watchers paid attention
For an industry that’s been eyeing China for any signal of a policy shift, the silence was loud. The country’s blanket ban on crypto trading and mining remains in place, and the conference offered no opening for digital currencies. Some had speculated that as AI and blockchain converge, China might relax its stance – but this week’s event suggests otherwise.
What’s next
The conference, which runs through Sunday, has several more sessions on AI regulation, industrial applications, and international cooperation. No crypto-related side events are scheduled. For now, the message from Shanghai is clear: Beijing’s priorities are on AI leadership, not on reviving a banned asset class.
