The United States is proposing a new notification mechanism with China to alert each other when an artificial intelligence incident poses a threat to national security. This proposal, referred to as an 'AI hotline', was discussed during talks on Sunday in New York between US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, ahead of a summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping scheduled for this week.
The two leaders are anticipated to explore a broader US-China dialogue on AI, with limited details available on the proposed notification system. This initiative arises amid increasing competition for AI dominance between the US and China, alongside warnings from technology leaders about the need for regulatory measures in the rapidly evolving field.
Bessent stated that Washington aims to create a US-China AI dialogue focusing on national security and a notification system addressing 'common goals and common threats'. He emphasized the importance of transparency between the leading AI powers.
Michael Kratsios, Trump's science and technology adviser, highlighted the need to discuss 'avoiding shared risks'. Specific triggers for notifications have not been disclosed publicly.
Scott Singer, co-director of the China AI Initiative at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, remarked that sharing information between the US and China is essential as threats evolve, viewing the initiative as a positive step for both nations.
China's state-run Xinhua news agency confirmed discussions on AI but did not clarify if Beijing accepted the proposed notification mechanism. The talks included 'frank, in-depth and constructive exchanges' on economic and trade matters.
This proposed AI mechanism follows previous crisis communication channels established between the US and China, including a military hotline since 2008.
Concerns about AI development were raised by Anthropic’s CEO Dario Amodei, who warned of the rapid advancement of AI capabilities and the potential for significant risks if not managed properly. His views were supported by other industry leaders, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and SpaceX founder Elon Musk.
Trump has maintained that the US must retain its competitive edge over China in AI, stating that 'whoever wins AI, wins'. Singer noted that while competition for AI is likely to continue, there are opportunities for cooperation.
The US currently leads in several key areas of AI development, with American companies investing $285.9 billion in AI in 2025, compared to $12.4 billion in China. However, Chinese companies have shown resilience in developing AI models despite US restrictions on advanced technology.
China also has advantages in the supply chain for AI, particularly in rare earth minerals and electricity generation.
The upcoming summit between Trump and Xi will address various issues, including trade disputes and tariffs, with the AI proposal potentially representing a unique opportunity for collaboration between the two nations. Experts suggest that establishing a dedicated channel for AI discussions could facilitate mutually beneficial cooperation moving forward.