On March 27–28, XIAO Qian, Deputy Director of the Center for International Security and Strategy (CISS) and Vice Dean of the Institute for AI International Governance (I-AIIG) at Tsinghua University , was invited to attend the inaugural “Global AI Safety and Ethics” International Symposium held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. The event was organized by the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR). Its aim was to bring together experts from governments, industry, academia, and civil society to jointly explore and address the complex implications of artificial intelligence (AI) for international security.

During the panel discussion on “Knowledge and Capacity Building,” XIAO Qian, as a guest speaker, shared China’s and Tsinghua University’s efforts in AI capacity building. She emphasized that in the current geopolitical context, it is essential to enhance mutual trust through dialogue and cooperation, promote the inclusive and beneficial development of AI, and improve global AI governance. She highlighted the vital role that universities can play in advancing AI capacity building—by developing knowledge communities for AI governance, facilitating international cooperation and exchanges on AI technologies and governance, and offering AI training programs to developing countries.

The Global AI Safety and Ethics International Symposium is part of the RAISE (Roundtable on AI Safety and Ethics) initiative, a multi-year project launched by UNIDIR in 2024. This first symposium aimed to bring together stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and civil society to collectively examine and respond to the multifaceted impacts of AI on global security. As a member of the RAISE initiative, XIAO Qian was invited to attend and deliver remarks.

While in Switzerland, XIAO Qian also visited the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), where she met with Executive Director David Harland and Head of the China Program Linda van der Horst to exchange views on China-Europe cooperation.