China will expand international cooperation in researching artificial intelligence, as well as tackling new social and ethical challenges posed by the new technology, China's top science official said on Friday.

Scientists have been researching artificial intelligence for more than 60 years, but people are now concerned about the technology due to its impact on personal privacy and other social issues, Wang Zhigang, minister of science and technology, told reporters in the "minister's passage" at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

"Now AI is not just confined to the lab, it has entered society," he said, adding the technology has intertwined with laws, ethics, and social morality. Development in AI technology also is faster than that in laws, ethics, and public governance, he added.

China is one of the world's front-runners in AI, and the government, as well as companies, universities, and research institutes, has attached great importance to developing this technology, Wang said.

"China will continue its development in AI, given it is a technology closely related to people's livelihoods," he said. Meanwhile, China will collaborate with other countries in maximizing the benefits of AI and minimizing its harm, he added.

In terms of research, China will continue cooperation with other countries in basic algorithms, models, chips, systems and other fields related to AI, Wang said.

As for AI-related ethical and social issues, China will strengthen its research in drafting new laws and regulations, and expand global cooperation in tackling the issues with other nations.