AI GOVERNANCE  SUSTAINABILITY TRAJECTORIES:  INSIGHTS FROM CHINA

Ziyuan Zhu

doi:10.17323/1999-5431-2026-0-6-87-99

Ziyuan Zhu National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE University) https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8407-4604

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17323/1999-5431-2026-0-6-87-99

Аннотация

The aim of this study is to highlight the importance of adopting a more systematic approach to the interplay between AI governance and governance-oriented sustainability. It offers a synthesis of sustainable AI policy measures at the national and global level. More specifically, it assesses whether China’s current governance-oriented AI policies are sufficient for the AI-governance era and whether additional mechanisms may be required. Ultimately, this study examines policy-exchange opportunities between China and other national contexts. This paper draws on a qualitative assessment of sustainable measures of AI governance and the sustainability of AI governance. Priority is given to the latter, and a “sustainability by integration” approach is advanced, which, at its core, serves as a necessary condition for explainable, accountable and trustworthy AI governance systems. The inquiry chiefly examines the governance-oriented sustainability of AI governance arrangements. Most research focuses on how AI is applied to strengthen governance, with limited attention given to the sustainable integration of AI governance. By contrast, China’s wide-ranging approach to sustainable AI governance is most aligned with advancing a “sustainability by integration” approach. A number of pathways have been recognised through which China’s measures can be adapted for use in other national governance settings. A broad set of national AI governance strategies issued up to 21 May 2025 was reviewed to assess how far they emphasise the linkage between governance and AI governance. In addition, the paper reviews China’s policy and how it seeks to address AI governance through a sustainability lens.

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Биография автора

Ziyuan Zhu, National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE University)

Research Assistant; International Laboratory for Digital Transformation in Public Administration

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