China and U.S. Leaders Discuss AI Safety Amid Competitive Tensions

HONG KONG (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are scheduled to meet this week amid growing concerns about the potential threats posed by rogue artificial intelligence (AI). The meeting occurs against a backdrop of competition as both nations strive for dominance in AI technology. Each country has expressed apprehension regarding how AI capabilities in the hands of the other could pose risks to their national security. Scott Singer, co-director of the China AI Initiative at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, noted that the discussions on AI are influenced by the broader U.S.-China relationship. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that during talks in New York with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, the two nations discussed establishing a dialogue mechanism on AI and proposed a notification system for AI incidents that could affect national security. Topics of discussion may include AI risks such as cyberattacks, biological misuse, and loss of human control, according to Sun Chenghao, a senior fellow at Tsinghua University in Beijing. Sun emphasized that there is still potential for cooperation despite the competitive atmosphere. Bessent reiterated the need for a shared vision regarding common goals and threats. Michael Kratsios, Trump's science and technology adviser, highlighted the importance of engaging with China on AI to address shared risks. Both governments are particularly concerned about AI's potential to target critical infrastructure, with Chinese governance documents identifying finance, electricity, telecommunications, and transportation as vulnerable sectors. The Chinese side has shown interest in discussing AI and cyber incident information sharing. Xiao Qian, vice dean of the Institute for AI International Governance at Tsinghua University, suggested that establishing communication protocols for AI-related emergencies could foster technical confidence between the two countries. Trump has previously stated that the nation that leads in AI will dominate globally, while Beijing has accused the U.S. of attempting to monopolize AI technology. Alfredo Montufar-Helu from the consultancy Ankura indicated that any easing of U.S. export controls on advanced AI technologies is unlikely. Despite restrictions, Chinese AI models are increasingly competitive with U.S. counterparts, with companies like Moonshot AI and DeepSeek making significant advancements. Professor Will Cong of Nanyang Technological University noted that while export controls slow China's progress, they do not halt it entirely. U.S. allegations of technology theft by China remain a contentious issue, with claims of 'malicious' extraction of AI capabilities being rejected by Chinese officials. The report also highlights concerns from Beijing regarding the potential misuse of AI by the U.S. and its implications for political stability. Xiao stated that meaningful cooperation on AI safety is unlikely if one side views the other's technological advancements as a security threat, underscoring the necessity for dialogue.